: 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
Filmed in Harrison, the Coopers’ primary residence is a craftsman-style house set within a leafy Westchester enclave.
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Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2026
Many of the Russian flights that NATO monitors with its Baltic air policing mission, in place since Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined the alliance in 2004, are to and from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Many of the Russian flights that NATO monitors with its Baltic air policing mission — in place since Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined the alliance in 2004 — are to and from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
—CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
After opening its first location in Dana Point in 2024, which helped nudge the coastal enclave into destination-dining territory, Truly Pizza will debut its second outpost in Laguna Beach on May 7.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
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Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2026
Many of the Russian flights that NATO monitors with its Baltic air policing mission, in place since Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined the alliance in 2004, are to and from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Many of the Russian flights that NATO monitors with its Baltic air policing mission — in place since Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined the alliance in 2004 — are to and from the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad.
—CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
After opening its first location in Dana Point in 2024, which helped nudge the coastal enclave into destination-dining territory, Truly Pizza will debut its second outpost in Laguna Beach on May 7.
—Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 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 26 Apr. 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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