: 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
And yet a disruption to this dream of liberal order comes just five days after the signing ceremony: an uprising on the opposite coast, in the Black enclave of Watts.
—
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Sited adjacent to the exclusive Laughlin Park enclave and currently listed for sale with Rob Kallick and Sara Kaye of Compass for a speck under $3 million, the creamy stucco and terracotta-roof structure is brimming with charming creative flourishes at every turn.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 June 2025
While the brand has boutiques in Soho, Georgetown, Austin and Aventura, this is the first expansion to the coveted enclave on the Eastern end of Long Island.
—Amanda Lauren, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
It was built in 1929 and sits on about three-quarters of an acre in the celeb-favorite enclave.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for enclave
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 June 2025
Sited adjacent to the exclusive Laughlin Park enclave and currently listed for sale with Rob Kallick and Sara Kaye of Compass for a speck under $3 million, the creamy stucco and terracotta-roof structure is brimming with charming creative flourishes at every turn.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 13 June 2025
While the brand has boutiques in Soho, Georgetown, Austin and Aventura, this is the first expansion to the coveted enclave on the Eastern end of Long Island.
—Amanda Lauren, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
It was built in 1929 and sits on about three-quarters of an acre in the celeb-favorite enclave.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 10 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 27 Jun. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share