enclose

verb

en·​close in-ˈklōz How to pronounce enclose (audio)
en-
variants or less commonly
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

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.
The villa’s historic garden, enclosed within its original ‘Firriato’ walls, preserves a rich heritage of botanical treasures, while the surrounding three-and-a-half-acre grounds ensure ample space to roam in solitude. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2025 At its far end, the valley is enclosed by red sandstone cliffs—rock walls, towers, and outcrops the size of office buildings, smoothed and sculpted by millennia of wind and water. Stanley Stewart, Air Mail, 25 Oct. 2025 Compared to the popular Cassia Lace Up option, the Cassia Nodo is more of a classic pump style, covering the sides of the foot and enclosing the heel. Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025 Southern California Edison, the utility that operates the now-shuttered San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, has released to the public some 1,749 images taken by robotic cameras during inspections of canisters enclosed in casks that store radioactive waste at the plant. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Oct. 2025 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 2 Nov. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!