: 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
We were stuck in Egypt on a medical trip when Hamas took over Gaza and Israel shut down all the enclave’s borders.
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Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
Historically, some of Miami’s most desirable real estate has been crowded along the beachfronts of the metropolitan area, with businesses and wealthy white residential enclaves prizing shore views and beach access.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
Reiner joined the writers’ room, an orderly place at first but eventually the loudest, most combative fourteen-by-twenty enclave in New York.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Israeli media, citing anonymous officials, have reported that Hamas was delaying the release of Goldin's body in hopes of negotiating safe passage for more than 100 militants surrounded by Israeli forces and trapped in the enclave's southernmost city of Rafah.
—NPR, 9 Nov. 2025
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Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025
Historically, some of Miami’s most desirable real estate has been crowded along the beachfronts of the metropolitan area, with businesses and wealthy white residential enclaves prizing shore views and beach access.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
Reiner joined the writers’ room, an orderly place at first but eventually the loudest, most combative fourteen-by-twenty enclave in New York.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025
Israeli media, citing anonymous officials, have reported that Hamas was delaying the release of Goldin's body in hopes of negotiating safe passage for more than 100 militants surrounded by Israeli forces and trapped in the enclave's southernmost city of Rafah.
—NPR, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enclave
Cite this Entry
“Enclave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclave. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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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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