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

As the story goes, the resort’s roots go back to 1967, when real estate developer Donald Soffer drew his vision for an upscale residential enclave on the back of a cocktail napkin. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Nov. 2026

Already, protests in multiple enclaves have disrupted operations at 529 factories, affecting nearly 1 million workers, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026

The residential enclave has housed a diverse roster of A-listers—Merv Griffin, Wink Martindale, Byron Allen, Judge Joseph Wapner, and Cyd Charisse and her husband, Tony Martin, among them. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2026

Long history Netanyahu’s coalition has overseen Israel’s devastating three-year war in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands, and a yearslong campaign of settler violence in the occupied West Bank. — Zeena Saifi, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for enclave

• agave
• behave
• concave
• conclave
• engrave
• enslave
• forgave
• landgrave
• margrave
• shortwave
• aftershave
• architrave

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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