: 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
In January, Israeli forces recovered the body of soldier Oron Shaul, who was killed during a battle in the enclave in July 2014.
—
Eugenia Yosef, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
The situation in Gaza is the worst since the war between Israel and Hamas militants began 19 months ago, the United Nations said on May 30, despite a resumption of limited aid deliveries in the Palestinian enclave.
—Danilo Arnone, USA Today, 3 June 2025
The ongoing Israel-Gaza war has led to mass destruction, death, and famine in the enclave for 20 months.
—Mandy Taheri
tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Everyone assumed Terry Venables’ side would beat Steaua Bucharest (now FCSB) in the final held in Seville, which had turned into a Catalan enclave for the day.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 May 2025
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Eugenia Yosef, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
The situation in Gaza is the worst since the war between Israel and Hamas militants began 19 months ago, the United Nations said on May 30, despite a resumption of limited aid deliveries in the Palestinian enclave.
—Danilo Arnone, USA Today, 3 June 2025
The ongoing Israel-Gaza war has led to mass destruction, death, and famine in the enclave for 20 months.
—Mandy Taheri
tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
Everyone assumed Terry Venables’ side would beat Steaua Bucharest (now FCSB) in the final held in Seville, which had turned into a Catalan enclave for the day.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 May 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 9 Jun. 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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