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

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

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

Karp hadn’t been invited to the conclave where his fate was decided.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sitting in the press seats above the House of Commons chamber, I witnessed an intense conclave as a compromise was thrashed out in real time while the debate among MPs was going on.

From BBC

Related Words

• confab