conclave

[kon-kleyv, kong-]

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.

conclave

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• conclavist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of conclave¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of conclave¹

C14: from Medieval Latin conclāve, from Latin: cage, place that may be locked, from clāvis key

Example Sentences

Following Francis's death, Robert Prevost, born in Chicago, became Pope Leo XIV after he was elected by the conclave of cardinals.

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“It felt like I was joining a conclave.”

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The Pope was chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, following a two-day conclave in Vatican City.

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By some accounts, he was a dark horse in a conclave race which many predicted would deliver unto us a Pope Pizzaballa.

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"I think it was a short conclave in part because Pope Francis left us with a good inheritance," the cardinal said.

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Related Words

• confab