enclosure

noun

en·​clo·​sure in-ˈklō-zhər How to pronounce enclosure (audio)
en-
variants or less commonly inclosure
1
: the act or action of enclosing : the quality or state of being enclosed
2
: something that encloses
3
: something enclosed
a letter with two enclosures

Examples of enclosure in a Sentence

During the day the horses are kept in an enclosure. a letter with two enclosures One of the enclosures was a photograph. the enclosure of a photograph with a letter the enclosure of the garden
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By 1940, a glass enclosure was added to better protect the driver. Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 May 2025 These leaf enclosures become puckered and are easy to notice. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025 The possible relocation of the animals is the latest in decades of controversy surrounding the L.A. Zoo’s elephant program, which experts and activists have long criticized because of its small enclosure size and history of deaths and health challenges among its inhabitants. Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025 Some of the sites—like the Octagon—are enclosures, or walls leaving a courtyard-type space in the middle, while others are mounds. Kevin Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for enclosure

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of enclosure was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enclosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclosure. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

enclosure

noun
en·​clo·​sure
variants also inclosure
in-ˈklō-zhər
1
: the act of enclosing : the state of being enclosed
2
: an enclosed space
3
: something (as a fence) that encloses
4
: something enclosed
a letter with two enclosures

More from Merriam-Webster on enclosure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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