: 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
Worth Avenue and its surrounding streets have enjoyed an ongoing retail evolution over the years, with new and often bigger boutiques adding to Palm Beach’s reputation as a designer enclave.
—
Laurie Brookins, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
Originally a working-class neighborhood of Polish immigrants who raised goats in their yards—leading to the nickname Goat Prairie and later Bucktown—this Chicago enclave has evolved into a mix of independent boutiques and restaurants with a dynamic urban feel.
—Hannah Howard, Midwest Living, 15 Jan. 2026
The lavish spread is within the ultra-private and somewhat under-the-radar Stone Creek Ranch enclave, which has also attracted buyers like energy drink mogul Russ Savage.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026
The neighborhood/area The hotel’s stretch of A1A isn’t the most interesting so most guests opt to either keep to the property’s upscale amenities, cab it to South Beach (which is 15 minutes away), or go north to the chichi enclaves of Surfside and Bal Harbour for shopping and dining.
—Sara Liss, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
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Laurie Brookins, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2026
Originally a working-class neighborhood of Polish immigrants who raised goats in their yards—leading to the nickname Goat Prairie and later Bucktown—this Chicago enclave has evolved into a mix of independent boutiques and restaurants with a dynamic urban feel.
—Hannah Howard, Midwest Living, 15 Jan. 2026
The lavish spread is within the ultra-private and somewhat under-the-radar Stone Creek Ranch enclave, which has also attracted buyers like energy drink mogul Russ Savage.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026
The neighborhood/area The hotel’s stretch of A1A isn’t the most interesting so most guests opt to either keep to the property’s upscale amenities, cab it to South Beach (which is 15 minutes away), or go north to the chichi enclaves of Surfside and Bal Harbour for shopping and dining.
—Sara Liss, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 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 15 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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