: 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
The film follows a former special forces soldier who infiltrates a dangerous criminal enclave in northern Myanmar in search of his missing daughter.
—
Faye Bradley, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
In that war, Israel was accused of deliberate and systematic destruction of the enclave’s health infrastructure, with 22 hospitals put out of service and more than 1,700 medical workers killed, according to Palestinian health authorities in Gaza.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
An Israeli analyst and a Gazan political commentator say the developments raise fresh doubts about whether postwar plans for the enclave can move forward anytime soon.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
The plants would potentially be built in the Sea of Cortez and in federal enclaves on California's Pacific coast.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
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Faye Bradley, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026
In that war, Israel was accused of deliberate and systematic destruction of the enclave’s health infrastructure, with 22 hospitals put out of service and more than 1,700 medical workers killed, according to Palestinian health authorities in Gaza.
—Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2026
An Israeli analyst and a Gazan political commentator say the developments raise fresh doubts about whether postwar plans for the enclave can move forward anytime soon.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
The plants would potentially be built in the Sea of Cortez and in federal enclaves on California's Pacific coast.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 Mar. 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 20 Mar. 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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