enclosure

American  

[en-kloh-zher] / ɛnˈkloʊ ʒər /

Also inclosure

noun

1. something that encloses, as a fence or wall.

2. something that is enclosed in or along with something else, as a photograph sent in a letter.

3. an area, such as a plot of ground or an indoor surface, surrounded by a fence, rope, or other barrier.

4. the separation and appropriation of land by means of a fence.

5. an act or instance of enclosing.

6. the state of being enclosed.

7. Roman Catholic Church. the part of a monastery or convent canonically separated or restricted as the living quarters of the religious, which a person may leave only with special permission or gain entrance to by special dispensation.

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enclosure British  

/ ɪnˈkləʊʒə /

noun

1. the act of enclosing or state of being enclosed

2. a region or area enclosed by or as if by a fence

3. 1. the act of appropriating land, esp common land, by putting a hedge or other barrier around it

   2. history such acts as were carried out at various periods in England, esp between the 12th and 14th centuries and finally in the 18th and 19th centuries

4. a fence, wall, etc, that serves to enclose

5. something, esp a supporting document, enclosed within an envelope or wrapper, esp together with a letter

6. a section of a sports ground, racecourse, etc, allotted to certain spectators

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Other Word Forms

• nonenclosure noun
• preenclosure noun
• semienclosure noun

Etymology

Origin of enclosure

First recorded in 1450–1500; enclose + -ure

Example Sentences

She is currently too large to safely play with Crimson; however, zoo staff may soon start “fenceline howdies” between the two cubs so they can get used to each other before they share an enclosure.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Chickens roam a fenced enclosure, laying eggs that appear in dishes at Sunday brunch.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

Reiner made a brief appearance in Los Angeles County Superior Court from inside a clear enclosure, his hair closely cropped and his hands in shackles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

On Friday, more than 100 visitors gathered around the monkey enclosure at the zoo, straining to take photos and shouting "hang in there!" as Punch tried to approach others in the troop.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

In the old days, five elfin warlocks would form a pentagram around the target and spread a magic shield over it, temporarily stopping time inside the enchanted enclosure.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

Related Words

• cage
• courtyard
• pen