1
a
: not open
b
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 Hundreds of roads across Western North Carolina remain closed, requiring state and federal teams to scour the region for survivors by air. Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 4 Oct. 2024 This unlocked a velocity of innovation that could not have been achieved had those same discoveries been kept in closed labs. Liam Collins, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024 However, in the broader residential real estate market, the brokerage found that closed sales dipped to 2,694 transactions, a 1.8% decline from Q3 2023. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2024 Currently, the mining companies are coping with the storm’s disruptions to infrastructure—roads are closed, and in some cases washed away, and cell service is down. Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for closed 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'closed.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of closed was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near closed

Cite this Entry

“Closed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closed. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

closed

adjective
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
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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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