conclave

American  

[kon-kleyv, kong-] / ˈkɒn kleɪv, ˈkɒŋ- /

noun

1. a private or secret meeting.

2. an assembly or gathering, especially one that has special authority, power, or influence.

   a conclave of political leaders.

3. the assembly or meeting of the cardinals for the election of a pope.

4. the body of cardinals; the College of Cardinals.

5. the place in which the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church meet in private for the election of a pope.

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conclave British  

/ ˈkɒŋ-, ˈkɒnkleɪv /

noun

1. a confidential or secret meeting

2. RC Church

   1. the closed apartments where the college of cardinals elects a new pope

   2. a meeting of the college of cardinals for this purpose

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Other Word Forms

• conclavist noun

Etymology

Origin of conclave

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin, Latin conclāve room, enclosed space, representing ( camera ) cum clāve (room) with key. See con-, clef

Example Sentences

This time-consuming process requires Xi to convene a party conclave.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

Beijing has escalated a sweeping purge of military officials in the days before thousands of delegates from across the country meet for the annual Two Sessions political conclave that starts on Wednesday.

From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026

At its twice-a-decade leadership conclave last week, the party elevated foreign affairs to a "core" national function, alongside national defence and internal security.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Six months since a conclave of cardinals elected the first North American to the Papacy, some Catholics feel that Leo has been slow to stamp his own mark on the role.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2025

No one had ever been gleaned on the Capitol steps before a conclave, but that didn’t mean that it couldn’t happen.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• confab