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

Explanation

A private or secret meeting is a conclave. What are some reasons you might hold a conclave? You might be convening the executive committee on the board of a company, or you might be planning a surprise party. In Catholicism, a conclave is specifically a meeting of Roman Catholic cardinals who are locked in a room in seclusion when they need to choose a new pope. The word conclave comes from the Latin and originally meant "a locked room." The school's band boosters held a conclave to discuss the harsh district budget cuts and how those cuts might affect all the other music programs at school.

Example Sentences

China's leaders will likely announce policies aimed at boosting domestic consumption at the annual Two Sessions political conclave this week, but they face an uphill battle.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 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

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

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

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.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

At this moment less of a conclave and more of an audience.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• confab