closed

adjective

ˈklōzd 

1

a

: not open

b

: enclosed

c

: composed entirely of closed tubes or vessels

a closed circulatory system

2

a

: having the skin intact with no underlying tissue exposed

closed wounds

see also closed fracture

b

of a head injury : having the skull intact : not marked by fracture or penetration of the skull

3

a

: forming a self-contained unit allowing no additions

closed association

b(1)

: traced by a moving point that returns to an arbitrary starting point

closed curve

also : so formed that every plane section is a closed curve

closed surface

(2)

: characterized by mathematical elements that when subjected to an operation produce only elements of the same set

the set of whole numbers is closed under addition and multiplication

(3)

: containing all the limit points of every possible subset

a closed interval contains its endpoints

c

: characterized by continuous return and reuse of the working substance

a closed cooling system

d

of a racecourse : having the same starting and finishing point

4

a

: confined to a few

closed membership

b

: excluding participation of outsiders or witnesses : conducted in strict secrecy

c

: rigidly excluding outside influence

a closed mind

5

: ending in a consonant

closed syllable

Examples of closed in a Sentence

He looked at me through half-closed eyes.

The store is closed for lunch between 1 and 2 p.m.

The beach is closed this time of night.

These restrooms are closed for cleaning.

The chairman declared the discussion closed and allowed no further speeches.

Recent Examples on the Web

No firefighters or residents were injured, but traffic in the area remains closed. —Ryan MacAsero, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024

The cover—a monochrome portrait of Jobs, closed hand to chin, with a multicolor Fortune logo layered over it—has become an instantly recognizable icon of tech. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024

The man fended off multiple attempts by the officers to grab his wrists and one attempt to put handcuffs on his right wrist before one of the officers started striking him, apparently with a closed fist, and then used a stun gun at least three times, the body camera video shows. —Dennis Romero, NBC News, 5 Nov. 2024

All schools are closed, not just the schools that are voting locations. —Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing closed

• a closed book
• behind closed doors
• closed book
• closed-captioned
• closed-captioning
• closed-cell
• closed cell foam
• closed-circuit
• closed comedo
• closed corporation
• closed couplet
• closed-door
• closed-end
• closed fracture
• closed loop
• closed-minded
• closed session
• closed shop
• closed stance
• meet in closed session
• simple closed curve
• with one's eyes shut/closed

Kids Definition

closed

adjective

ˈklōzd 

1

a

: not open : enclosed

b

: made up entirely of closed tubes or vessels

a closed circulatory system

2

: formed by a line that returns to its starting point

a closed curve

3

: having elements that when a mathematical operation (as addition) is performed on them produce only other elements of the same set

the set of whole numbers is closed under addition

4

: not admitting or not easily admitting new members

a closed meeting

a closed society

Medical Definition

closed

adjective

ˈklōzd 

1

: being a complete self-contained system with nothing transferred in or out

a closed thermodynamic system

2

a

: having the skin intact with no underlying tissue exposed

closed wounds

see closed fracture

b

of a head injury : having the skull intact : not marked by fracture or penetration of the skull

Closed head injuries result from the force of a blast or a blow in which the skull remains intact but the brain, surrounded by fluid like an egg yolk, gets wrenched or slammed against the skull wall.

—Neil Shea

3

: not discharging pathogenic organisms to the outside

a case of closed tuberculosis

compare open entry 1 sense 2

Legal Definition

closed

adjective

1

: confined to a few

closed membership

2

: excluding outsiders or witnesses : conducted in secrecy

closed hearings