enclose

verb

en·​close in-ˈklōz 

en-

variants or less commonly inclose

in-ˈklōz 

enclosed also inclosed; enclosing also inclosing; encloses also incloses

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to close in : surround

enclose a porch with glass

(2)

: to fence off (common land) for individual use

b

: to hold in : confine

2

: to include along with something else in a parcel or envelope

a check is enclosed herewith

Synonyms

• box (in)
• cage
• closet
• coop (up)
• corral
• encage
• encase
• envelop
• fence (in)
• hedge
• hem (in)
• house
• immure
• include
• mew (up)
• pen
• wall (in)

Examples of enclose in a Sentence

The pie's flaky crust encloses a fruit filling.

Enclose the fish in foil and bake.

She enclosed a photo with the card.

Please enclose a check with your application.

Enclosed with this letter are the tickets you ordered.

Recent Examples on the Web

Think tender, aromatic vegetables enclosed in cheesy layers with a jammy, flavorful tomato sauce. —Amanda Holstein, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2024

Padel is played on a court about a third the size of a tennis court and is enclosed by glass and mesh walls. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 20 Dec. 2024

Shadows of the kids stretched behind the caged fence enclosing the school and one even attempts to climb the fence, creating a moment that seems straight out of The Walking Dead. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024

His trial was the first to have anonymous jurors who were enclosed by bulletproof glass during the proceedings, a measure taken due to Edmond III’s seemingly murderous reputation. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 18 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from enclos enclosed, from Anglo-French, past participle of enclore to enclose, from Vulgar Latin *inclaudere, alteration of Latin includere — more at include

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Kids Definition

enclose

verb

en·​close

variants also inclose

in-ˈklōz

1

a

: to close in : surround

enclose a porch with glass

b

: to hold in : confine

enclose animals in a pen

2

: to place in a parcel or envelope

enclose a card with the present