enclave

noun

: a distinct territorial, cultural, or social unit enclosed within or as if within foreign territory
ethnic enclaves

Did you know?

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 Palestinian reporters and hospital staff described scenes of humiliating interrogations where colleagues had been undressed and left outside in the cold, after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) laid siege to the largest hospital in the enclave in the early hours of Monday. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 The sea route is intended to bring more assistance to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the enclave five months into the war between Israel and Hamas. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 17 Mar. 2024 At least 20 people were killed, and more than 150 were injured late Thursday while awaiting aid in northern Gaza, in what Palestinian officials in the enclave said was an Israeli attack. Niha Masih, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 Wheat, a painter, sculptor and art history professor who moved to San Diego from Harlem, N.Y., in the 1960s, offers a look at the ways the famously Black enclave helped shaped her point of view. Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 Stepping through the doors of Kasuri might shock the average tourist visiting Hudson, but also inspire the enclave or well-to-do artists in the area. Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2024 Various stops along the way range from ominous (a rural gas station that doubles as a prisoner-of-war torture chamber) to heartening (a Hooverville-type enclave where folks try to forge a semblance of a community). David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024 Two beach clubs will offer guests swimmable beaches, a surf break with considerable bragging rights, beach bars, waterfront pools, and a selection of dining enclaves, including a farm-to-table concept using fresh ingredients from the on-site Xala Farms organic garden. Meagan Drillinger, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2024 Rafah is a southern Gaza city bordering Egypt where more than 1 million Palestinians have sought refuge as Israel storms through the enclave. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enclave.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from enclaver to enclose, from Vulgar Latin *inclavare to lock up, from Latin in- + clavis key — more at clavicle

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of enclave was in 1868

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near enclave

Cite this Entry

“Enclave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclave. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

enclave

noun
en·​clave ˈen-ˌklāv How to pronounce enclave (audio) ˈän- How to pronounce enclave (audio)
ˈäŋ-
: a distinct territorial, cultural, or social group within a foreign region or community
Etymology

from French enclave "enclave," derived from early French enclaver "to enclose"

Medical Definition

enclave

noun
: something enclosed in an organ or tissue but not a continuous part of it
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!