: 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
By midcentury, Italian American enclaves in major cities were dotted with red sauce joints.
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Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Some are optimistic that opening the Rafah crossing will allow travel to and from the enclave, along with the evacuation of people needing medical care.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Prior to their public split last year, the estranged duo shared a 4,000-square-foot brownstone in Carroll Gardens, a wealthy enclave nestled in the upper west corner of Brooklyn.
—India Roby, Architectural Digest, 27 Jan. 2026
Palestinians react to recovery of last hostage’s remains Palestinians in Gaza were optimistic that opening the Rafah crossing will allow travel to and from the enclave along with the evacuation of people needing medical care.
—Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
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Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Some are optimistic that opening the Rafah crossing will allow travel to and from the enclave, along with the evacuation of people needing medical care.
—CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Prior to their public split last year, the estranged duo shared a 4,000-square-foot brownstone in Carroll Gardens, a wealthy enclave nestled in the upper west corner of Brooklyn.
—India Roby, Architectural Digest, 27 Jan. 2026
Palestinians react to recovery of last hostage’s remains Palestinians in Gaza were optimistic that opening the Rafah crossing will allow travel to and from the enclave along with the evacuation of people needing medical care.
—Julia Frankel, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 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 1 Feb. 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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