enclave

[en-kleyv, ahn-]

noun

1. a country, or especially, an outlying portion of a country, entirely or mostly surrounded by the territory of another country.

2. any small, distinct area or group enclosed or isolated within a larger one.

   a Chinese-speaking enclave in London.

verb (used with object)

enclaved, enclaving 

1. to isolate or enclose (especially territory) within a foreign or uncongenial environment; make an enclave of.

   The desert enclaved the little settlement.

enclave

/ ˈɛnkleɪv /

noun

1. a part of a country entirely surrounded by foreign territory: viewed from the position of the surrounding territories Compare exclave

Word History and Origins

Origin of enclave¹

1865–70; < French, Middle French, noun derivative of enclaver < Vulgar Latin *inclāvāre to lock in, equivalent to Latin in- in- ² + clāv ( is ) key + -āre infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of enclave¹

C19: from French, from Old French enclaver to enclose, from Vulgar Latin inclāvāre (unattested) to lock up, from Latin _in- ² + clavis key

Example Sentences

It will also enter into a phased withdrawal of the Gaza Strip and will not occupy or annex the enclave.

From Los Angeles Times

The U.N., rights and aid groups and governments, including Western allies of the U.S. and Israel, accuse Israel of committing genocide in the enclave.

From Los Angeles Times

At the edge of Moldova's separatist enclave of Transnistria on Sunday, a long queue of cars waited to cross the river to register their vote at 12 polling stations opened close to the administrative border.

From BBC

The pier is a tourist attraction in the wealthy Gulf Coast enclave and was badly damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022.

From Salon

Against this enclave’s polished stone walls and bannisters, Lee looks every ragged inch of the tawdry menace the politicians and businessmen he squares off against expect him to be.

From Salon

Related Words

• area 
• colony 
• country 
• district 
• field 
• land 
• nation 
• neighborhood 
• province 
• sector 
• state 
• street 
• terrain 
• zone