Dictionary.com

conclave

[ kon-kleyv, kong- ]
/ ˈkɒn kleɪv, ˈkɒŋ- /
Save This Word!

noun
a private or secret meeting.
an assembly or gathering, especially one that has special authority, power, or influence: a conclave of political leaders.
the assembly or meeting of the cardinals for the election of a pope.
the body of cardinals; the College of Cardinals.
the place in which the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church meet in private for the election of a pope.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?

Origin of conclave

1350–1400; Middle English <Medieval Latin, Latin conclāve room, enclosed space, representing (camera) cum clāve (room) with key. See con-, clef
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use conclave in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for conclave

conclave
/ (ˈkɒnkleɪv, ˈkɒŋ-) /

noun
a confidential or secret meeting
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

Derived forms of conclave

conclavist, noun

Word Origin for conclave

C14: from Medieval Latin conclāve, from Latin: cage, place that may be locked, from clāvis key
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK