: 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
Spanning 160 miles from east to west, our advice is to make this a multi-stay getaway—perhaps starting in ever-popular Chania or Heraklion before road tripping to quiet coastal enclaves, sleepy historic villages, and expansive mountain valleys.
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Katie Silcox, Vogue, 28 May 2026
On Thursday, speaking at a conference in the West Bank, Netanyahu went even further, suggesting that Israel was progressing to have total control over the enclave.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 May 2026
In the decades following World War II, the state of California operated a network of over one hundred employment offices scattered through the small towns, urban centers, and rural enclaves.
—Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
In the last couple decades, however, the enclave has emerged as one of Seattle’s hippest neighborhoods.
—Harry Cheadle, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2026
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Katie Silcox, Vogue, 28 May 2026
On Thursday, speaking at a conference in the West Bank, Netanyahu went even further, suggesting that Israel was progressing to have total control over the enclave.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 May 2026
In the decades following World War II, the state of California operated a network of over one hundred employment offices scattered through the small towns, urban centers, and rural enclaves.
—Michael Bernick, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
In the last couple decades, however, the enclave has emerged as one of Seattle’s hippest neighborhoods.
—Harry Cheadle, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for enclave
Cite this Entry
“Enclave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclave. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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