: 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
While airlines squeezed in more seats and reduced legroom, premium cabins got all the investment, with new business suites and lavish first-class enclaves.
—
Chris Dong, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
With the world’s attention fixed on the war in Iran, Israel is expanding its control over the enclave and killing hundreds more Palestinians while Hamas refuses to disarm as required by the ceasefire agreement.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
There are Circassian enclaves in New Jersey.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 May 2026
The truce envisioned Hamas handing over its weapons, Israeli forces withdrawing and rebuilding destroyed swaths of the coastal enclave after more than two years of war.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for enclave
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Chris Dong, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
With the world’s attention fixed on the war in Iran, Israel is expanding its control over the enclave and killing hundreds more Palestinians while Hamas refuses to disarm as required by the ceasefire agreement.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 14 May 2026
There are Circassian enclaves in New Jersey.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 13 May 2026
The truce envisioned Hamas handing over its weapons, Israeli forces withdrawing and rebuilding destroyed swaths of the coastal enclave after more than two years of war.
—Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 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 18 May. 2026.
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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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