: 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
Both reflect desires to leave century-old stadiums and home cities for vast sites that allow for planned enclaves of surrounding restaurants, hotels, offices, stores and homes.
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Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
Earlier this month, the county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a measure aimed at ensuring that the thousands of empty lots in unincorporated Altadena and Sunset Mesa, a small residential enclave bordering Pacific Palisades, are not left untended.
—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
With many of its properties in their third or fourth generation of ownership, the nearly 100-acre Round Hill enclave in Jamaica prefers continuity over change.
—
Sarah Turner,
Robb Report,
25 June 2026
The site, where excavations began in 2014, is associated with the Tartesian culture, active in the 5th century BCE, and was one of the most important enclaves of that civilization in the Iberian Peninsula.
—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
25 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for enclave
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Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
Earlier this month, the county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a measure aimed at ensuring that the thousands of empty lots in unincorporated Altadena and Sunset Mesa, a small residential enclave bordering Pacific Palisades, are not left untended.
—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2026
With many of its properties in their third or fourth generation of ownership, the nearly 100-acre Round Hill enclave in Jamaica prefers continuity over change.
—
Sarah Turner,
Robb Report,
25 June 2026
The site, where excavations began in 2014, is associated with the Tartesian culture, active in the 5th century BCE, and was one of the most important enclaves of that civilization in the Iberian Peninsula.
—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
25 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 27 Jun. 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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