: 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
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The third phase would mark the end of the war, with bodies being exchanged, Israel withdrawing from Gaza entirely, and the reconstruction of the enclave starting.
—
Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Feb. 2025
As hundreds of armed gang members, entrenched in the hills above Haiti’s capital, await orders to attack the last enclaves not currently under their control, the multinational fight to end their terror is being impeded by the Trump administration’s freeze on foreign aid.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
The ceasefire has seen the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gazan population centers, a surge of aid entering the enclave and, for the first time since May last year, the opening of the vital Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt for the evacuation of injured and sick Palestinians.
—Mick Krever, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
The small enclave has been devastated by the war, bombings and a lack of humanitarian aid.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
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Christian Datoc, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Feb. 2025
As hundreds of armed gang members, entrenched in the hills above Haiti’s capital, await orders to attack the last enclaves not currently under their control, the multinational fight to end their terror is being impeded by the Trump administration’s freeze on foreign aid.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 2025
The ceasefire has seen the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gazan population centers, a surge of aid entering the enclave and, for the first time since May last year, the opening of the vital Rafah crossing on the border with Egypt for the evacuation of injured and sick Palestinians.
—Mick Krever, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025
The small enclave has been devastated by the war, bombings and a lack of humanitarian aid.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for enclave
Dictionary Entries Near enclave
Cite this Entry
“Enclave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclave. Accessed 8 Feb. 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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