: 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
The enclave has a serious charm that invites guests to stroll around while window-shopping and trying out some of its best gastropubs.
—
Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
Behind gates on a steep slope, the 1926 storybook cottage overlooks a leafy enclave in the Hollywood Hills and spans about 2,100 square feet.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2026
Over the past few days, the biggest tennis stars in the world have descended on the tony desert enclave of Indian Wells, California for the BNP Paribas Open, also known as Tennis Paradise.
—Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
About 100 feet from the sheriff’s immaculate enclave, jailers who worked for Smith jeered as Mitchell shivered in his own waste, court records show.
—USA Today, 8 Mar. 2026
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Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 10 Mar. 2026
Behind gates on a steep slope, the 1926 storybook cottage overlooks a leafy enclave in the Hollywood Hills and spans about 2,100 square feet.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Mar. 2026
Over the past few days, the biggest tennis stars in the world have descended on the tony desert enclave of Indian Wells, California for the BNP Paribas Open, also known as Tennis Paradise.
—Lucas Shaw, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
About 100 feet from the sheriff’s immaculate enclave, jailers who worked for Smith jeered as Mitchell shivered in his own waste, court records show.
—USA Today, 8 Mar. 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 14 Mar. 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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