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

According to the logline, in season two, Eleanor will return to her hometown roots in the affluent Black enclave of Martha’s Vineyard. — Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026

John McEnroe and Patty Smyth picked up a contemporary beachfront home in Malibu’s exclusive Paradise Cove enclave in 2015 for $21 million. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026

The former White House advisors bought a $30 million plot of land in the ridiculously exclusive enclave almost six years ago during the height of COVID for obvious reasons. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

All the Little Houses is set in the wealthy enclave of Longview, Texas, where Charleigh Anderson has clawed her way from outcast to undisputed queen bee. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 Oct. 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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

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