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

After languishing on the market for more than two years, former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley has finally offloaded his bluff-top residence in Malibu‘s exclusive Paradise Cove enclave. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2026

Fisher Island remains one of the country’s wealthiest enclaves. — Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026

Most of the recent Israeli strikes have targeted western Gaza, where almost all of the enclave’s two million residents reside, United Nations deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Monday. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 4 Aug. 2026

Based on Arthur Schnitzler’s 1890’s novella, Burch has modernized it and changed the Vienna setting to New York City’s Soho district, a once-bustling enclave for artists and poets and now something quite different. — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 3 Aug. 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