: 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
Midges have overwhelmed the beachy enclave of Orbetello, the Associated Press (AP) reported.
—
Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025
Located in the lively South Lamar enclave, Zilker Studios also showcases its designer’s flair for space efficiency.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Almost four years ago, architect Mark Rios and his husband Guy Ringler, a reproductive endocrinologist, doled out $12 million for a rundown Hollywood Regency residence in the posh Bel Air enclave of Los Angeles that hadn’t been touched in half a century.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2025
Audio enclaves could enable personalized audio in public spaces.
—Jiaxin Zhong, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enclave
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Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2025
Located in the lively South Lamar enclave, Zilker Studios also showcases its designer’s flair for space efficiency.
—Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Almost four years ago, architect Mark Rios and his husband Guy Ringler, a reproductive endocrinologist, doled out $12 million for a rundown Hollywood Regency residence in the posh Bel Air enclave of Los Angeles that hadn’t been touched in half a century.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2025
Audio enclaves could enable personalized audio in public spaces.
—Jiaxin Zhong, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 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 31 Mar. 2025.
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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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