enclosure

noun

en·​clo·​sure in-ˈklō-zhər How to pronounce enclosure (audio)
en-
variants or less commonly inclosure
in-ˈklō-zhər How to pronounce enclosure (audio)
Synonyms of enclosurenext
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

Synonyms of enclosure

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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.
On the day the plan was presented, the commission first had to review schematics for a new mesh enclosure for an Arabian-leopard habitat at the National Zoo. — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026 She’s loved by her family of humans (the Osteens) and other farm animals (including Elsie the cow; goats Honey, Dolly, Roger, Polly and Dodger; and Tom, the king of the turkeys who stalks around his enclosure like a pharaoh). — Emily L. Mahoney, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026 Looking down from the steep glass enclosure wrapping the ethereal oculus is like peering down from a cliff. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 Love said a wild skunk was found in the goat enclosure on July 29, and the animal was shot and burned. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for enclosure

See All Rhymes for enclosure

Browse Nearby Words

encloser
enclosure
enclosure wall
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Cite this Entry

“Enclosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclosure. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about enclosure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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