enclose

verb

en·​close in-ˈklōz How to pronounce enclose (audio)
en-
variants or less commonly inclose
enclosed also inclosed; enclosing also inclosing; encloses also incloses
Synonyms of enclosenext

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

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
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.
What the industry calls bladeless ceiling fans actually have blades, but they’re enclosed in a cage where they can’t be seen and can’t come into contact with anything. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026 Buyers at Gatherpoint can personalize their homes to their preferences with options for extending patios, lanais and garages, enclosing flex rooms and expanding indoor-outdoor connections with pocketing or zero-corner sliding glass doors. Pulte Homes, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026 The Piazza is the mid-sip atrium space that encompasses decks seven through nine, enclosed within the ship’s glass Sphere. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Feb. 2026 Though not fully enclosed (which saved on cost), it’s sheltered by a wall of ipe wood on one side and a stand of low trees and plants on the other. Rory Evans, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enclose

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)

Time Traveler
The first known use of enclose was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enclose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclose. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on enclose

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