enclose

[ en-klohz ]

verb (used with object)

, en·closed, en·clos·ing.

1. to shut or hem in; close in on all sides:

   a valley enclosed by tall mountains.

   Synonyms: girdle, ring, encompass, encircle

2. to surround, as with a fence or wall:

   to enclose land.

   Synonyms: girdle, ring, encompass, encircle

3. to insert in the same envelope, package, or the like:

   He enclosed a check.

   A book was sent with the bill enclosed.

4. to hold or contain:

   His letter enclosed a check.

5. Roman Catholic Church.
   1. to restrict to the enclosure of a monastery or convent.
   2. (of a monastery, convent, church, etc.) to establish or fix the boundary of an enclosure.

enclose

/ ɪnˈkləʊz /

verb

1. to close; hem in; surround
2. to surround (land) with or as if with a fence
3. to put in an envelope or wrapper, esp together with a letter
4. to contain or hold

Derived Forms

• enˈclosable, adjective
• enˈcloser, noun

Other Words From

• en·clos·a·ble adjective
• en·clos·er noun
• pre·en·close verb (used with object) preenclosed preenclosing
• re·en·close verb (used with object) reenclosed reenclosing

Word History and Origins

Origin of enclose¹

First recorded in 1275–1325, enclose is from the Middle English word enclosen, inclosen. See in- ¹, close

Example Sentences

A family found the cans - light-tight containers used to enclose film - in the shed belonging to their father, an editor on the show who died recently.

From BBC

The contractor asked if they wanted to move the washer and dryer to a different space in the home or enclose them to hide them.

From Los Angeles Times

Here, story-wise, we’ve been shrunk down to the size of a frog by Mama Odie, and while placing guests in oversize environments to make them feel small is a bit of a theme park cliché, I’ll let it slide because the human-sized flowers and mushrooms enclose us as if we’re in a snug nightclub.

From Los Angeles Times

Tuesday to enclose the encampment, which went up Monday, but did not order anyone to disperse.

From Los Angeles Times

Their capsule-like shape can enclose and protect mRNA, which provides instructions for cells to manufacture proteins.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• block off
• encase
• encircle
• encompass
• hem in
• insert
• wrap