: a distinct territorial, cultural, or social unit enclosed within or as if within foreign territory
ethnic enclaves
Did you know?
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
Before processing starts, these enclaves employ attestation mechanisms to confirm the integrity of the code and environment.
—
Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
With the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, some have also used it to raise funds for people there or stitched designs to focus attention on Palestinian suffering in the enclave.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
The report identitfied places like Salt Lake City, Tampa, and Naples as ones to watch, citing growing tech and finance industries, outdoor lifestyles, and, in some cases, lower costs than both traditional luxury enclaves and the newest wealth hubs.
—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
30 June 2026
Other spaces of note include a wellness enclave, a dedicated workspace, and a rooftop deck that sports a full outdoor conversation set surrounded by unobstructed ocean views in every direction.
—
Kristin Braswell,
Architectural Digest,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for enclave
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Chuck Brooks,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
With the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, some have also used it to raise funds for people there or stitched designs to focus attention on Palestinian suffering in the enclave.
—
ABC News,
30 June 2026
The report identitfied places like Salt Lake City, Tampa, and Naples as ones to watch, citing growing tech and finance industries, outdoor lifestyles, and, in some cases, lower costs than both traditional luxury enclaves and the newest wealth hubs.
—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
30 June 2026
Other spaces of note include a wellness enclave, a dedicated workspace, and a rooftop deck that sports a full outdoor conversation set surrounded by unobstructed ocean views in every direction.
—
Kristin Braswell,
Architectural Digest,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for enclave
Cite this Entry
“Enclave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclave. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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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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