ringfencing

Verb

ringfence (third-person singular simple present ringfences, present participle ringfencing, simple past and past participle ringfenced)

1. (transitive) To guarantee the safety of funds or investment. In particular, to ensure some degree of distinction for monies, that may provide immunity against untoward financial claims.
2. (transitive) To specify that funds may only be used for a specific purpose, especially government funds.
3. (transitive) To require workers to remain in (particular types of work), as during wartime.
   • As on the docks, a wartime Essential Work Order gave the miners a minimum weekly wage and 'ring-fenced' employment in the industry. This constraint was not removed until 1950.1999, Becky Conekin, Frank Mort, Chris Waters, Moments of modernity: reconstructing Britain, 1945-1964, page 89

See all 4 meanings of ringfence