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

Francis describes himself as being almost in denial about his rapidly elevating chances of being elected pope at the time of the 2013 conclave. —Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024

The Vatican conspiracy thriller, with a screenplay by Peter Straughan and based on Robert Harris’ novel, sees Fiennes play Cardinal Lomeli, tasked with overseeing the cardinals arriving from across the globe to join the conclave. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2024

While some languages are governed by a conclave of experts, the process for JavaScript provides more visibility. —Sheon Han, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2024

His would be one of the few world-changing conclaves in history that would spring no press leaks. —Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 7 Feb. 2024

Six years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping made his last trip to Davos, Switzerland, to attend the annual conclave of global elites up in the mountains. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2024

The statistics can be used to demonstrate to government officials why investing in the arts is a good idea, Cohen said, and the conclave offered sessions on how to effectively share the message of the arts’ economic impact. —Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2024

He was made cardinal by Pope St. John Paul II and participated in the conclaves that elected both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. —Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 23 Dec. 2023

Becciu retained his title but was stripped of his rights as a cardinal, including the right to participate in a papal conclave, after being incriminated in this case. —Phoebe Natanson, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2023

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