What does "enclosure" mean?

1. (fenced area) an area of land that is surrounded by a fence, wall, or other barrier. 2. (letter attachment) something put inside an envelope along with a letter. 3. (act of surrounding) the act of putting a fence or wall around a piece of land. 4. (religious area) a private part of a monastery or convent where only the monks or nuns can go. 5. (historical land reform) the historical process in England of turning common land into private farms.

enclosure

US //ɛnˈkɫoʊʒɝ// UK //ɛnklˈəʊʒɐ// en·clo·sure

1 fenced area (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

an area of land that is surrounded by a fence, wall, or other barrier.

an area of land or space that is physically demarcated and surrounded by barriers.

Example

The zoo built a large enclosure for the lions to roam in safely.

Example

The horses were kept in a secure enclosure at the edge of the property to prevent them from wandering onto the main road.
2 letter attachment (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

something put inside an envelope along with a letter.

a document or item inserted into a letter or package alongside the primary correspondence.

Example

Please check the enclosure for a copy of the signed contract.

Example

The solicitor noted the enclosure of the original deed in the cover letter, advising the client to confirm its receipt immediately.
- attachment
- insert

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3 act of surrounding (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the act of putting a fence or wall around a piece of land.

the process or act of surrounding a space with a barrier to restrict access or define boundaries.

Example

The enclosure of the garden took several days of hard work.

Example

The rapid enclosure of the construction site was necessary to ensure public safety before the heavy machinery arrived.
- containment
- fencing
- opening
- exposure
4 religious area (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Religion

a private part of a monastery or convent where only the monks or nuns can go.

the restricted area of a religious house, such as a convent or monastery, where access is limited to members of the community.

Example

Visitors are not allowed to enter the inner enclosure of the abbey.

Example

The rule of enclosure within the Carmelite order dictates that sisters remain within the designated bounds of the convent to maintain a life of prayer.
- cloister
- precinct
5 historical land reform (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic

the historical process in England of turning common land into private farms.

the historical process of consolidating small landholdings and common land into larger, privately owned farms.

Example

The enclosure movement changed how people lived in the countryside.

Example

Parliamentary enclosure in the eighteenth century led to significant social upheaval as rural labourers lost their traditional rights to graze livestock on common land.

Origin

From Middle English enclosure, from Old French enclosure, from enclore, from Latin inclūdere, inclūdō, from in- (“in”) + claudō (“to shut”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kleh₂u- (“key, hook, nail”). Alike to inclusion.