: a distinct territorial, cultural, or social unit enclosed within or as if within foreign territory
ethnic enclaves
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Enclave comes from French enclaver, meaning "to enclose," which itself is based on the Latin noun clavis, meaning "key." Clavis opened the door to a few other English words, some of which might seem unlikely relatives of enclave. For example, clavicle, the word for the bone that joins the breastbone and the shoulder blade, and the musical sign clef.
Examples of enclave in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The cryptographic secret never leaves the enclave embedded into the physical key.
—
Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
Barry Gibbs was a familiar figure around the Manhattan enclave of Sutton Place, a mailman who delivered packages among the dignified apartment buildings staffed by uniformed doormen.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 29 Dec. 2024
The couple—she an interior designer and he a master illusionist—are now ready to hand over the keys to their lavish Tuscany-style spread in the unincorporated Ventura County enclave of Somis near Camarillo, asking a dash under $10 million.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 29 Dec. 2024
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, speaking with commanders in southern Gaza, said on Wednesday that Israel will retain security control of the enclave, including by means of buffer zones and controlling posts.
—Reuters, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024
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Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 30 Dec. 2024
Barry Gibbs was a familiar figure around the Manhattan enclave of Sutton Place, a mailman who delivered packages among the dignified apartment buildings staffed by uniformed doormen.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 29 Dec. 2024
The couple—she an interior designer and he a master illusionist—are now ready to hand over the keys to their lavish Tuscany-style spread in the unincorporated Ventura County enclave of Somis near Camarillo, asking a dash under $10 million.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 29 Dec. 2024
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, speaking with commanders in southern Gaza, said on Wednesday that Israel will retain security control of the enclave, including by means of buffer zones and controlling posts.
—Reuters, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for enclave
Dictionary Entries Near enclave
Cite this Entry
“Enclave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclave. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
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Medical Definition
enclave
noun
en·clave
ˈen-ˌklāv; ˈän-ˌklāv 
ˈäŋ-
ˈäŋ-
-ˌkläv
: something enclosed in an organ or tissue but not a continuous part of it
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