cordon sanitaire UK /ˌkɔːdɒn sanɪˈtɛː/US /kɔːrˌdɔ̃ː ˌsɑniˈtɛr/ noun2 •A barrier (physical or administrative) to prevent the spread of disease. •Any barrier to the spread of anything deemed undesirable.The alternative for such a policy was the isolation of Russia and the construction of a cordon sanitaire, in order to contain Bolshevism in the present area. — 1992 formscordons sanitaires