enclave

noun

en·​clave ˈen-ˌklāv  ˈän-ˌklāv 

: 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

Israel has accused the United Nations agency responsible for distributing most aid within the enclave of diverting supplies to Hamas, and said that delays have been caused by logistical problems among aid organizations, including a shortage of drivers. —Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024

In fact, nearby development of Five Park, pricey condos in South of Fifth, and nearby billionaire enclave Fisher Island drew the firm to its new South of Fifth location. —Rebecca San Juan, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2024

This has created an awkward clash in the West Maui resort enclave of Kā’anapali. —Leilani Marie Labong, Travel + Leisure, 30 Mar. 2024

Located in Honolulu’s affluent Kahala enclave, the boxy contemporary abode was completed just last year (2023) and was designed top to bottom by the abstract and conceptual artist. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2024

Developers have also huddled in preliminary talks with city, landscape and urban planners to draft dramatic enhancements to the neighborhood, streetscape and public arts, all in an effort to improve the street-level appeal of the bayfront enclave. —Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Similarly, the Federal Republic of Germany’s accession to NATO in 1955 extended Article 5 only to West Germany; communist East Germany, including the democratic enclave of West Berlin, were excluded until the country’s peaceful reunification in 1990. —Ivo Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 26 Mar. 2024

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, said Thursday that only an expansion of land crossings into Gaza could help prevent famine in the densely populated Palestinian enclave. —Doha Madani, NBC News, 22 Mar. 2024

Palestinian reporters and hospital staff described scenes of humiliating interrogations where colleagues had been undressed and left outside in the cold, after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) laid siege to the largest hospital in the enclave in the early hours of Monday. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from enclaver to enclose, from Vulgar Latin *inclavare to lock up, from Latin in- + clavis key — more at clavicle

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

enclave

noun

en·​clave ˈen-ˌklāv  ˈän- 

ˈäŋ-

: a distinct territorial, cultural, or social group within a foreign region or community

Etymology

from French enclave "enclave," derived from early French enclaver "to enclose"

Medical Definition

enclave

noun

en·​clave ˈen-ˌklāv; ˈän-ˌklāv  ˈäŋ- 

-ˌkläv

: something enclosed in an organ or tissue but not a continuous part of it