enclave

noun

en·​clave ˈen-ˌklāv How to pronounce enclave (audio) ˈän-ˌklāv How to pronounce enclave (audio)
Synonyms of enclavenext
: 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 Israeli and Egyptian officials have said in the past that Gaza’s border with Egypt was a route for smuggling arms into the coastal enclave. —Michael Levenson, New York Times, 7 May 2024 Israeli strikes have devastated the enclave and displaced most of its inhabitants. —Karen Matthews, Fortune, 6 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for enclave 

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

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Dictionary Entries Near enclave

enclasp

enclave

enclisis

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Enclave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclave. Accessed 13 May. 2024.

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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
en·​clave ˈen-ˌklāv; ˈän-ˌklāv How to pronounce enclave (audio) ˈäŋ- How to pronounce enclave (audio)
-ˌkläv
: something enclosed in an organ or tissue but not a continuous part of it
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