enclosure

[ en-kloh-zher ]

noun

1. something that encloses, as a fence or wall.
2. something that is enclosed in or along with something else, as a photograph sent in a letter.
3. an area, such as a plot of ground or an indoor surface, surrounded by a fence, rope, or other barrier.
4. the separation and appropriation of land by means of a fence.
5. an act or instance of enclosing.
6. the state of being enclosed.
7. Roman Catholic Church. the part of a monastery or convent canonically separated or restricted as the living quarters of the religious, which a person may leave only with special permission or gain entrance to by special dispensation.

enclosure

/ ɪnˈkləʊʒə /

noun

1. the act of enclosing or state of being enclosed
2. a region or area enclosed by or as if by a fence
3. 1. the act of appropriating land, esp common land, by putting a hedge or other barrier around it
   2. history such acts as were carried out at various periods in England, esp between the 12th and 14th centuries and finally in the 18th and 19th centuries
4. a fence, wall, etc, that serves to enclose
5. something, esp a supporting document, enclosed within an envelope or wrapper, esp together with a letter
6. a section of a sports ground, racecourse, etc, allotted to certain spectators

Other Words From

• non·en·clo·sure noun
• pre·en·clo·sure noun
• sem·i·en·clo·sure noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of enclosure¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; enclose + -ure

Example Sentences

Several times in that run, they have been locked on for the winners' enclosure, only to veer into the rails in the final quarter.

From BBC

Mr Westergaard said the monkeys had escaped on Wednesday after a keeper left open a door to their outdoor enclosure.

From BBC

Thompson uses leather and soft fabrics on selected parts of the seat and enclosure to provide a luxury feel, which is increasingly popular with airlines.

From BBC

Four 18-month-old female raccoons escaped from their enclosure at Amazon World, near Sandown, prompting a search.

From BBC

It also confirmed that both captured animals would be put in an enclosure away from the public, alongside their sibling that did not escape.

From BBC

Related Words

• cage
• courtyard
• pen