noun
Uncommon
enclosure
ihn-KLOH-zhuh
Enclosure (noun) means an area surrounded by a fence, wall, or other barrier. Example: “The zoo built a larger enclosure for the elephants.”
noun
1
An area surrounded by a fence, wall, or other barrier.
"The zoo built a larger enclosure for the elephants."
"The children were not allowed to enter the enclosure where the goats lived."
"A tall stone wall formed an enclosure around the old orchard."
2
Something included with a letter or document.
"The invoice was sent as an enclosure with the covering letter."
How to use enclosure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fenced-off area, or an item sent along with a letter.
Common pairings
animal enclosure
letter and enclosure
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Word forms
- Plural
- enclosures
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The zoo built a larger _____ for the elephants.
Etymology
From Old French enclosure, from enclore ("to enclose"), from Latin includere.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for enclosure
See all rhymes for enclosure →Frequently asked questions
What does “enclosure” mean?
The word “enclosure” means an area surrounded by a fence, wall, or other barrier. In plain terms, a fenced-off area, or an item sent along with a letter.
How do you pronounce “enclosure”?
“Enclosure” is pronounced ihn-KLOH-zhuh (/ɛnˈkloʊʒəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “enclosure” in a sentence?
Here is “enclosure” used in a sentence: “The zoo built a larger enclosure for the elephants.”
What part of speech is “enclosure”?
“Enclosure” is a noun.
Where does the word “enclosure” come from?
The word “enclosure” comes from Latin. From Old French enclosure, from enclore ("to enclose"), from Latin includere.
Is “enclosure” a common word?
“Enclosure” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “enclosure” have?
“Enclosure” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an area surrounded by a fence, wall, or other barrier.
What is the difference between an enclosure and a fence?
A fence is a single barrier, while an enclosure is the entire area surrounded by a fence, wall, or other barrier. In other words, a fence can form part of an enclosure, but the enclosure refers to the whole bounded space, such as an animal pen or a garden plot.
What does enclosure mean in a business letter?
In correspondence, an enclosure is a document or item included along with a letter, such as an invoice, brochure, or form. Writers often note this with the abbreviation "Enc." or "Enclosure" at the bottom of the letter to flag that something extra is attached.
How is enclosure used in historical or legal contexts?
Enclosure can also refer to the act of fencing off land that was previously open, a practice with significant historical importance in land ownership disputes. In this sense it describes the process of converting shared or common land into privately bounded plots.
