conclave

noun

con·​clave ˈkän-ˌklāv 

1

: a private meeting or secret assembly

especially : a meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals secluded continuously while choosing a pope

The conclave elected the new pope on the fifth ballot.

2

: a gathering of a group or association

the annual conclave of newspaper publishers

Did you know?

Conclave comes from a Latin word meaning "room that can be locked up" (from the Latin com-, "together," and clavis, "key"). The English conclave formerly had the same meaning, but that use is now obsolete. Today, conclave refers not to the locked rooms but to the private meetings and secret assemblies that occur within them. The meaning of conclave has also expanded to include gatherings that are not necessarily secret or private but simply involve people with shared interests.

Examples of conclave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, filmmakers spoke with numerous cardinals who had participated in real conclaves. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024

Ditto the compositions that present the conclave as either an impeccable, implacable source of collective menace or render these fussin’, feudin’ cardinals as figures straight off the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024

Despite being unsure of his faith, the poor man has been saddled by the just-deceased pope with the responsibility of managing the conclave of red-robed eminences who’ll vote on a successor. —Tom Gliatto, People.com, 24 Oct. 2024

Do cardinals who gather for a conclave sleep on the premises? —Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, room that can be locked up, from com- + clavis key — more at clavicle

First Known Use

1524, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

conclave

noun

con·​clave ˈkän-ˌklāv 

: a private or secret meeting or assembly