enclosure

enclosure — noun

1. any open space that has a fence, wall, or other barrier all around it, often use

1.nounB2
Definition

any open space that has a fence, wall, or other barrier all around it, often used for keeping animals safe or for a specific purpose

Example

The zookeeper cleaned the lion enclosure every morning before the visitors arrived.

collocation: animal enclosure / zoo enclosure

The farmer built a wooden enclosure for the new goats near the barn.

pattern: enclosure + for [animal]

Common collocations
  • animal enclosure
  • zoo enclosure
  • temporary enclosure
  • large enclosure
  • safe enclosure
  • outdoor enclosure
  • build an enclosure
  • enter an enclosure
Synonyms
  • pen

    smaller, usually for farm animals; 'sheep pen' but rarely 'sheep enclosure'

  • compound

    larger area that may contain buildings; stronger sense of security

  • paddock

    a fenced field for horses, especially near stables

  • corral

    American English term for a pen for horses or cattle, often circular

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

enclosure + for [purpose]

enclosure + around [area]

Usage Note

This sense refers to an actual physical area, not the fence or wall itself. The barrier is part of the enclosure, but the word describes the space that is surrounded. Compare with 'pen' (smaller, for animals) or 'compound' (larger, for buildings).

Common Mistakes

The farmer built an enclosure around the field' (when meaning the fence)
The farmer built a fence around the field.
'enclosure' is the area inside the fence, not the fence itself.
We put the horses in the enclosure' (when context is clear) is fine, but: ❌ 'enclosure' when talking about a small cage for a pet.
Use 'cage,' 'hutch,' or 'run' for small pet spaces.

2. the process of surrounding an area of ground with walls or fences, especially to

2.nounC1
Definition

the process of surrounding an area of ground with walls or fences, especially to claim it for private ownership

Example

The enclosure of common farmland in Britain during the 1700s changed the landscape forever.

historical context: the Enclosure movement

The farmer faced strong opposition from neighbours over the enclosure of the shared pasture.

Common collocations
  • enclosure of land
  • enclosure of common land
  • enclosure of public land
Synonyms
  • fencing

    more general term for putting up a fence, less formal

  • fencing-off

    emphasises separation of an area from its surroundings

Grammar Patterns

the enclosure of + [land/area]

Usage Note

This sense is uncountable and refers to the action or historical practice, not a physical object. It is most common in historical, legal, or agricultural writing about land rights. In everyday conversation, 'putting up a fence' is more natural than 'the enclosure of land.'

Common Mistakes

The enclosure of the letter was missing.' (meaning the document inside)
The enclosure (sense 3) was missing.
sense 2 is about fencing land, not about something inside an envelope.

3. a document, form, or other item that is placed inside an envelope or package tog

3.nounB2
Definition

a document, form, or other item that is placed inside an envelope or package together with a letter, often mentioned at the end of the letter as a note to the reader

Example

The lawyer checked that all the enclosures were in the envelope before sealing it.

collocation: enclosures in an envelope

Please find the enclosure with the signed contract inside this package.

formal letter phrase: 'Please find the enclosure'

Common collocations
  • enclosures in an envelope
  • letter enclosure
  • document enclosure
  • please find the enclosure
  • enclosures: [list]
Synonyms
  • insert

    a printed item placed inside a package or publication, frequently used for advertising materials

  • inclusion

    more general term for something included, less common in business letters

Grammar Patterns

enclosure + in [envelope/parcel]

enclosures: [list]

Usage Note

This sense is a countable noun: one enclosure, two enclosures. It is used mainly in formal letters and business correspondence. Do not confuse with 'attachment,' which refers to a file sent with an email. An enclosure is a physical item in a mailed envelope or parcel.

Common Mistakes

Please see the attachment.' (in a physical letter)
Please see the enclosure.
'attachment' is for email files; 'enclosure' is for physical items in an envelope.
The enclosure was attached to the email.
The document was attached to the email.
emails can have 'attachments,' not 'enclosures.'

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words describe a fenced or bounded area, but they differ in size, purpose, and regional usage. 'Enclosure' is the most general term and can apply to anything from a small zoo habitat to a large field. 'Pen' is smaller and usually for farm animals such as sheep or pigs; its use outside animal contexts sounds odd. 'Compound' suggests a larger area that contains buildings or facilities, often with security in mind (e.g., a military compound). 'Paddock' is specifically a fenced field for horses, typically near a stable or racecourse, and is standard in British English. 'Corral' is the American English counterpart for enclosing horses or cattle, often circular and made from wooden rails. In British English, you would say 'the horse was led into the paddock'; in American English, you might say 'the horse was led into the corral.'

enclosure ↗pen ↗compound ↗paddock ↗corral

Common collocations

Nouns

  • enclosure wall
  • enclosure fence
  • enclosure movement
  • enclosure land

Adverbs

  • fully enclosed
  • partially enclosed
  • securely enclosed

Phrases

  • enclosure of land
  • right of enclosure
  • temporary enclosure

Prepositions

  • within an enclosure
  • inside an enclosure
  • outside an enclosure
  • enclosure around

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Enclosure' comes from the verb 'enclose,' which entered English through Old French 'enclos' (past participle of 'enclore' — to surround, shut in). That French term came from Latin 'inclaudere,' formed by the prefix 'in-' (in) and 'claudere' (to shut or close). The same Latin root 'claudere' gave English words like 'close,' 'closet,' 'conclude,' and 'include.' The noun 'enclosure' first appeared in English in the 1500s, originally referring to the act of fencing land, and later also to the fenced area itself and to items placed inside a letter.