Here are links to a basic description of most of the terms beginners and novices will be experiencing for the first time in their lessons.

An introduction, what is fencing?

Each of the three weapons we use has its own distinct rules abnd characteristics:

the Foil       the Épée       the Sabre      

This is the index to a glossary of fencing terms:

A   B   C   D   E-F   G-N   O   P   R   S   T

There are positive and negative health aspects to consider, as fencing is a physically demanding sport:

Is fencing good for you? Read about the health aspects

Fencing, a definition:

Fencing:   the art, science or sport of swordplay;

• from the Middle English: "Defence" or "Defense", i.e. fencing is the art of defending oneself; a familiar theme for all martial arts (we Europeans have martial arts too, you know).
• Incidentally the same root as fence, as in garden fence, source of so many hilarious jokes to non-fencers, in that it means a protective barrier.

Our modern sport of fencing is derived from the French school of the 18th century, as championed by such luminaries as Domenico Angelo.
As a result of which there are an awful lot of anachronistic, Old-French terminologies knocking-about (which you may be atavistic enough to enjoy). But please do not be put-off, as it is possible to fence successfully with out a good pronounciation, and eventually they do make sense, as much any other set of nouns peculiar to any other sport, e.g.: service, off-side, scrum, goal, set, tee, etc..