enclosure

1 of 2

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

inclose, inclosure

2 of 2
in·​close in-ˈklōz How to pronounce inclose (audio)

less common variants of enclose, enclosure

transitive verb

1
a(1)
: to close in : surround
enclose a porch with glass
(2)
: to fence off (common land) for individual use
b
: to hold in : confine
2
: to include along with something else in a parcel or envelope
a check is enclosed herewith

Synonyms of enclosure

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of enclosure in a Sentence

Noun 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.
Noun
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 The sedan crossed Southgate Street and crashed into a dumpster enclosure at a business, police said. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026 That combination could make the battery useful in equipment where replacing a battery is difficult or where openings in the enclosure could compromise protection against moisture and other environmental factors. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 Drummer Mike Palmer will sit inside a massive plexiglass and aluminum enclosure that resembles a spaceship. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for enclosure

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enclosure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enclosure. Accessed 1 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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