A hedge is a row of bushes or small trees, usually along the edge of a garden, field, or road.

If you hedge against something unpleasant or unwanted that might affect you, especially losing money, you do something which will protect you from it.

Something that is a hedge against something unpleasant will protect you from its effects.

If you hedge, you avoid answering a question or committing yourself to a particular action or decision.

If you hedge your bets, you reduce the risk of losing a lot by supporting more than one person or thing in a situation where they are opposed to each other.