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

It was for similar reasons that cardinals of different persuasions were thought to have coalesced around him at conclave.

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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.

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Now, on the cusp of the latest COP30 climate conclave in Brazil next month, Mr. Gates offers different advice.

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Since the Communist Party won control of mainland China in 1949, only four Central Committee plenums have promoted 10 or more alternates to full membership, including this week’s conclave, according to party records.

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The readout of the closed-door conclave also included a pledge to step up high-end manufacturing, another measure viewed as part of Beijing’s efforts to hold its own against the U.S.

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Related Words

• confab