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

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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But after an unexplained nine-month delay to the third plenum until July 2024, that monumental task is now expected to fall on the upcoming conclave.

Read more on Barron's

The richly-decorated 15th Century chapel is the setting for the conclave of cardinals that elects the pope.

Read more on BBC

Leo, 70, who has a history of missionary work in Peru and is the first pope from the United States, was elected in a conclave of cardinals on May 8.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• confab