Synonyms of closednext
1
a
: not open
b
c
: composed entirely of closed tubes or vessels
a closed circulatory system
2
a
: having the skin intact with no underlying tissue exposed
closed wounds
see also closed fracture
b
of a head injury : having the skull intact : not marked by fracture or penetration of the skull
3
a
: forming a self-contained unit allowing no additions
closed association
b(1)
: traced by a moving point that returns to an arbitrary starting point
closed curve
also : so formed that every plane section is a closed curve
closed surface
(2)
: characterized by mathematical elements that when subjected to an operation produce only elements of the same set
the set of whole numbers is closed under addition and multiplication
(3)
: containing all the limit points of every possible subset
a closed interval contains its endpoints
c
: characterized by continuous return and reuse of the working substance
a closed cooling system
d
of a racecourse : having the same starting and finishing point
4
a
: confined to a few
closed membership
b
: excluding participation of outsiders or witnesses : conducted in strict secrecy
c
: rigidly excluding outside influence
a closed mind
5
: ending in a consonant
closed syllable

closed

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of close entry 1

Examples of closed in a Sentence

Adjective He looked at me through half-closed eyes. The store is closed for lunch between 1 and 2 p.m. The beach is closed this time of night. These restrooms are closed for cleaning. The chairman declared the discussion closed and allowed no further speeches.
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.
Adjective
Southbound lanes of Interstate 65 near Lebanon Junction in Bullitt County remain closed while officials work to clear wreckage from the roadway. Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 30 Aug. 2026 Security forces were deployed around the airport and in the Plateau district while a major road leading to Niamey was closed. ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 According to Reuters, Qalibaf, the Iranian parliament speaker, said that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed until military threats ceased and sanctions on Iran were lifted. Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Mater also alleged that city officials had made an exception concerning Davis’ filing and pointed to a special closed-session council meeting held the previous week. Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for closed

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of closed was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Closed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/closed. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

1
a
: not open : enclosed
b
: made up entirely of closed tubes or vessels
a closed circulatory system
2
: formed by a line that returns to its starting point
a closed curve
3
: having elements that when a mathematical operation (as addition) is performed on them produce only other elements of the same set
the set of whole numbers is closed under addition
4
: not admitting or not easily admitting new members
a closed meeting
a closed society

Medical Definition

1
: being a complete self-contained system with nothing transferred in or out
a closed thermodynamic system
2
a
: having the skin intact with no underlying tissue exposed
closed wounds
see closed fracture
b
of a head injury : having the skull intact : not marked by fracture or penetration of the skull
Closed head injuries result from the force of a blast or a blow in which the skull remains intact but the brain, surrounded by fluid like an egg yolk, gets wrenched or slammed against the skull wall.Neil Shea
3
: not discharging pathogenic organisms to the outside
a case of closed tuberculosis
compare open entry 1 sense 2

Legal Definition

closed

adjective
1
: confined to a few
closed membership
2
: excluding outsiders or witnesses : conducted in secrecy
closed hearings

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