conclave

noun

con·​clave ˈkän-ˌklāv 

1

: a private meeting or secret assembly

especially : a meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals secluded continuously while choosing a pope

The conclave elected the new pope on the fifth ballot.

2

: a gathering of a group or association

the annual conclave of newspaper publishers

Did you know?

Conclave comes from a Latin word meaning "room that can be locked up" (from the Latin com-, "together," and clavis, "key"). The English conclave formerly had the same meaning, but that use is now obsolete. Today, conclave refers not to the locked rooms but to the private meetings and secret assemblies that occur within them. The meaning of conclave has also expanded to include gatherings that are not necessarily secret or private but simply involve people with shared interests.

Examples of conclave in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Markets are now pricing in a near certainty that the Fed will lower rates by at least 25 basis points at its mid-September conclave. —Robert Barone, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024

The Vatican thriller stars Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal tasked with supervising a conclave following the sudden death of the Pope to choose a successor. —Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 July 2024

Following the two-day meeting that concludes next Wednesday, the Fed meeting schedule is empty for August, save for the all-important annual conclave in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. —Jeff Cox, CNBC, 26 July 2024

This year’s conclave has a particular focus on geopolitical conflicts, while also touching on topics such as the dangers of artificial intelligence and the importance of decarbonization. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, room that can be locked up, from com- + clavis key — more at clavicle

First Known Use

1524, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

conclave

noun

con·​clave ˈkän-ˌklāv 

: a private or secret meeting or assembly