enclose

verb

en·​close in-ˈklōz 

en-

variants or less commonly inclose

in-ˈklōz 

enclosed also inclosed; enclosing also inclosing; encloses also incloses

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to close in : surround

enclose a porch with glass

(2)

: to fence off (common land) for individual use

b

: to hold in : confine

2

: to include along with something else in a parcel or envelope

a check is enclosed herewith

Synonyms of enclose

• house
• encase
• confine
• include
• surround
• envelop

Examples of enclose in a Sentence

The pie's flaky crust encloses a fruit filling.

Enclose the fish in foil and bake.

She enclosed a photo with the card.

Please enclose a check with your application.

Enclosed with this letter are the tickets you ordered.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adding to its appeal, the kitchen opens to the glass enclosed sunroom. —James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026

The plan would require enclosing an irrigation canal. —Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 24 Apr. 2026

To the left is a relaxed deck for post-dip chilling; to the right is the beautifully restrained restaurant, partly enclosed in a glasshouse with an undulating canopy roof. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026

Press a frozen pistachio ball into each and gather the dough edges around the pistachio ball to enclose. —Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, probably from enclos enclosed, from Anglo-French, past participle of enclore to enclose, from Vulgar Latin *inclaudere, alteration of Latin includere — more at include

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Rhymes for enclose

• aloes
• arose
• bedclothes
• bestows
• boroughs
• buboes
• cargoes
• cocos
• compose
• crossbows
• demos
• depose

Kids Definition

enclose

verb

en·​close

variants also inclose

in-ˈklōz

1

a

: to close in : surround

enclose a porch with glass

b

: to hold in : confine

enclose animals in a pen

2

: to place in a parcel or envelope

enclose a card with the present