enclaves

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Small areas of territory belonging to one country but completely surrounded by another country.

   Grammar: Countable noun; the singular is enclave. Use with a plural verb: The enclaves are...

   Patterns

   • a political enclave
   • an enclave of something
   • enclaves within something

   The two enclaves on the border have their own customs posts.

   West Berlin was an enclave inside East Germany during the Cold War.

   These enclaves are separated from the main country by foreign territory.

2. 2nouncountable

   Small groups of people of a particular culture or religion living within a larger community.

   Grammar: Often used with of: an enclave of artists. Can be singular or plural.

   Patterns

   • an enclave of people
   • a cultural enclave
   • ethnic enclaves

   The city has several ethnic enclaves where immigrants settled together.

   This neighborhood is an enclave of artists and writers.

   The religious enclave has kept its traditions for generations.

Word forms

Common combinations

political enclave

The political enclave voted in its own elections.

ethnic enclave

Chinatown is a well-known ethnic enclave in many cities.

enclave of

The area is an enclave of calm in the busy city.

surrounded by

The enclave is completely surrounded by another country.

Synonyms and how they differ

territory

Territory is a general word for any area of land; enclave is more specific, meaning a small area inside a larger one.

community

Community refers to a group of people; enclave emphasizes that the group is set apart within a larger area.

Word family

enclave noun

Singular form: a small area or group surrounded by a larger one.

Commonly confused: enclaves or exclave?

Practice

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