: 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
Love it or hate it, that’s different to WhatsApp’s own AI upgrades which promise user data is not processed outside their own security enclave and is never visible to anyone else.
—
Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Fifty hostages remain in captivity in the enclave, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive, according to the Israeli government.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
The New York Times: World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by the celebrity chef José Andrés, resumed operations in Gaza after almost seven weeks because of Israel’s aid blockade of the enclave.
—Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 24 June 2025
Now the late game show host and animal rights advocate’s former residence in the Outpost Estates enclave of the Hollywood Hills has just returned to the market, all dolled up and asking a speck under $8.2 million.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 24 June 2025
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Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Fifty hostages remain in captivity in the enclave, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive, according to the Israeli government.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 25 June 2025
The New York Times: World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by the celebrity chef José Andrés, resumed operations in Gaza after almost seven weeks because of Israel’s aid blockade of the enclave.
—Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 24 June 2025
Now the late game show host and animal rights advocate’s former residence in the Outpost Estates enclave of the Hollywood Hills has just returned to the market, all dolled up and asking a speck under $8.2 million.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 24 June 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 5 Jul. 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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