enclave

noun

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The agreement came under its first major test last week when two Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza, prompting Israeli airstrikes on the enclave. Ibrahim Dahman, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025 Still, the project adds another exclusive tier to a venue already marked by VIP enclaves, raising questions about how much of COTA’s most distinctive real estate will remain truly accessible — and for how long. Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025 After Trump spoke to Lurie, local leaders and advocates worried that Trump would shift his attention from San Francisco, which at one point hosted more billionaires than any other city, to less powerful and more diverse enclaves like Oakland and Alameda. Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2025 Born in the California beach enclave of Montecito, the Napoleon comes by its refreshing summer vibes honestly, even if it is made with a seemingly unsummery spirit. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for enclave

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of enclave was in 1868

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Cite this Entry

“Enclave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclave. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

enclave

noun
en·​clave ˈen-ˌklāv How to pronounce enclave (audio) ˈän- How to pronounce enclave (audio)
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
: something enclosed in an organ or tissue but not a continuous part of it

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