enclose
Americanverb (used with object)
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to shut or hem in; close in on all sides.
a valley enclosed by tall mountains.
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to surround, as with a fence or wall.
to enclose land.
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to insert in the same envelope, package, or the like.
He enclosed a check.
A book was sent with the bill enclosed.
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to hold or contain.
His letter enclosed a check.
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Roman Catholic Church.
verb
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to close; hem in; surround
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to surround (land) with or as if with a fence
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to put in an envelope or wrapper, esp together with a letter
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to contain or hold
Other Word Forms
- enclosable adjective
- encloser noun
- preenclose verb (used with object)
- reenclose verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of enclose
First recorded in 1275–1325, enclose is from the Middle English word enclosen, inclosen. See in- 1, close
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Two new walls, built to enclose the porch, didn’t feature exposed brick like the others, so Robe set them apart with burgundy Jennifer Shorto wallpaper.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026
They requested China enclose this section inside the embassy's security perimeter.
From BBC • Sep. 9, 2025
The contractor asked if they wanted to move the washer and dryer to a different space in the home or enclose them to hide them.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2024
Their capsule-like shape can enclose and protect mRNA, which provides instructions for cells to manufacture proteins.
From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2024
“Would you get some? With the help of the canopy, we should be able to enclose him completely.”
From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
