noun
conclave
KONK-layv
Conclave (noun) means a private, closed meeting, especially the assembly of cardinals that elects a new pope. Example: “The cardinals gathered in conclave to choose the next pope.”
noun
1
A private, closed meeting, especially the assembly of cardinals that elects a new pope.
"Still, it was the first real sign of succession planning — a Condé conclave, as one editor joked — and a reminder that Ms. Wintour, arguably the last link to the company’s glory years, will not be around forever."
— Michael M. Grynbaum, The Concorde-and-Caviar Era of Condé Nast, When Magazines Ruled the Earth (2025)
"The cardinals gathered in conclave to choose the next pope."
"The politicians held a secretive conclave to plan their strategy."
"More than 2,500 of globalisation's movers and shakers gather for their annual four-day mountaintop conclave this week, aware that the world is still being shaken by the events of half a decade ago."
— Larry Elliott, Davos faces up to weak growth and rising inequality (2014)
How to use conclave
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA private, closed-door meeting, especially the one that elects a new pope.
Common pairings
papal conclave
hold a conclave
a secret conclave
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Word forms
- Plural
- conclaves
- Third person singular
- conclaves
- Past tense
- conclaved
Fill the gap
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The cardinals gathered in _____ to choose the next pope.
Etymology
From Latin conclāve, "a room that can be locked" — from con- ("together") and clāvis ("key").
Related words
Rhymes for conclave
See all rhymes for conclave →Frequently asked questions
What does “conclave” mean?
The word “conclave” means a private, closed meeting, especially the assembly of cardinals that elects a new pope. In plain terms, a private, closed-door meeting, especially the one that elects a new pope.
How do you pronounce “conclave”?
“Conclave” is pronounced KONK-layv (/ˈkɑnˌkleɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “conclave” in a sentence?
Here is “conclave” used in a sentence: “The cardinals gathered in conclave to choose the next pope.”
What part of speech is “conclave”?
“Conclave” is a noun.
Where does the word “conclave” come from?
The word “conclave” comes from Latin. From Latin conclāve, "a room that can be locked" — from con- ("together") and clāvis ("key").
