: 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
Meanwhile, the United Nations warned that the humanitarian situation in the enclave was likely at its worst since October 2023, and that the population was once again on the brink of famine.
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Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
More than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the health ministry in the enclave.
—Abeer Salman, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025
Just as with iPhones, the thinking behind Android’s Identity Check is to partition an enclave of security and device settings that requires additional security to unlock.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Tucked among the winding roads and resplendent trees of this tony enclave is a property that feels like pulling into a majestic boutique hotel.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for enclave
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Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 17 Apr. 2025
More than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the health ministry in the enclave.
—Abeer Salman, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2025
Just as with iPhones, the thinking behind Android’s Identity Check is to partition an enclave of security and device settings that requires additional security to unlock.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Tucked among the winding roads and resplendent trees of this tony enclave is a property that feels like pulling into a majestic boutique hotel.
—Miriam Schwartz, Boston Herald, 13 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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