: 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
While the exact details of the Pace-Sotheby’s deal remain unconfirmed, discussions between the two companies have been occurring on and off since the pandemic, when both concurrently followed their clients to the tony enclaves of East Hampton and Palm Beach.
—
Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Israel has cut the flow of electricity to the last facility in Gaza that was still receiving power from the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) and has closed its main crossings with the enclave to aid.
—Ibrahim Dahman, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
The second phase involves talks over an agreement for the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave.
—Tala Ramadan and Nayera Abdallah, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Gentrification has significantly raised property values in Shenandoah, at one point regarded as part of the larger Little Havana enclave.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
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Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Mar. 2025
Israel has cut the flow of electricity to the last facility in Gaza that was still receiving power from the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) and has closed its main crossings with the enclave to aid.
—Ibrahim Dahman, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
The second phase involves talks over an agreement for the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave.
—Tala Ramadan and Nayera Abdallah, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025
Gentrification has significantly raised property values in Shenandoah, at one point regarded as part of the larger Little Havana enclave.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 13 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 18 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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