enclosed
Americanadjective
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inserted in the same envelope or package.
Complete the enclosed contribution form and mail with your check or credit card information to the address below.
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surrounded or shut in on all sides.
The dogs like to hang out in the enclosed section outside the kennels.
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of enclosed
Explanation
Things that are enclosed are surrounded on all sides, closed or penned in. If your grandfather's condo development is enclosed by a high fence, you might need to check in with a guard before you can visit him. Your pet guinea pig is enclosed by her cage, and when you're at school, you are enclosed by the walls of the building. Homes, car lots, gardens, and school yards are all commonly enclosed by fences. If you put a check inside your cousin's birthday card, the money is also enclosed. Enclosed comes from the verb enclose, which is rooted in the Old French enclore, "surround, confine, or contain."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It works by hatching flies in an enclosed space, and then exposing them to radiation to make them sterile before releasing them into the wild.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
The space leads directly to an enclosed patio that overlooks the water and features a separate seating area, ideal for casual meals or for relaxing with family and friends.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026
The White House, traditionally framed as a public-facing symbol of American government, is increasingly being imagined as something enclosed, defended and fortified.
From Salon • May 24, 2026
To lessen your risk of infection, keep wild rodents out of your home and other enclosed spaces by sealing any holes and placing snap traps.
From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026
As an insult, Booth enclosed a small sum of money as a payment for the meal they had eaten, but not enjoyed, at Stuart’s.
From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
