1. past tense and past participle of kettle; to surround or trap (a group of people, especially protesters) in a confined area by police
Usage: British English; informal; law enforcement/protest context

1. surrounded or trapped in a confined area
Usage: British English; informal

Examples

• The protesters were kettled by police for several hours.
• Kettled demonstrators complained about the lack of access to water and bathrooms.
• The crowd found themselves kettled in the town square with no way out.
• Police kettled the group to prevent them from moving through the city center.
• Activists criticized the kettled tactics used during the march.