enclosure

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "enclosure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that provides protection or a barrier, or to refer to something that has been added to a document or letter. Example: "Please find the attached document and its enclosed letter within the enclosure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That was the year when Fatimid invaders began to build a grand enclosure to house their new mosques and palaces – a private city known to its residents as al-Qahera, and eventually to the world as Cairo.

The Guardian

Harvest, his latest novel, dramatises one of the great under-told narratives of English history: the forced enclosure of open fields and common land from the late medieval era on, whereby subsistence agriculture was replaced by profitable wool production and the peasant farmers dispossessed and displaced.

The Guardian - Books

What will change with enclosure is that sense of balance: "This land," Master Kent says, "has always been much older than ourselves .

The Guardian - Books

The political theorist saw a base of active dissidents fighting against the "second enclosure of the commons," attempting to preserve the internet from corporate control.

The Guardian - Books

A popular fixture in Warsaw for decades, the enclosure is on a busy street, a few hundred metres from the zoo proper.

The Guardian

For all Boyle's insistence that he was presenting a settled, consensual British view, it still looked quite an achievement, given who was sitting in the front row of the politicians' enclosure.

The Guardian - Film

Well, it was until the poor creature was led out of its enclosure and its food was dropped on the ground, and everyone laughed as they watched the hungry camel scarf its rations.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The villagers' suspicion and scapegoating of the trio cowering in a thrown-together shack on the common land sets in train a series of violent events that empties the village and only smoothes the path to enclosure.

The Guardian - Books

On the day of the semi‑final against Liverpool, Gregory posted a picture of himself next to the Villa dugout at Wembley, titled "The winners' enclosure".

The Guardian - Sport

In a pathetic little enclosure in Edinburgh Zoo, risibly done up to resemble a scrap of rural China, the suffering of the giant pandas continues.

The Guardian - Opinion

But perhaps Simmons's bullish shaven-headed jazz supremo will join them in the winner's enclosure or perhaps everyone will be crowded out by the exotic exquisites of the Grand Budapest Hotel.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the historical process of land privatization, specify the geographical or historical context to avoid ambiguity. For example, mention "the enclosure movement in 18th-century England."

Common error

Avoid using "enclosure" when you mean "disclosure". "Enclosure" refers to something contained or included, while "disclosure" refers to revealing or making something known. For example, you send a document as an enclosure, but you make a disclosure about confidential information.

Linguistic Context

The noun "enclosure" primarily functions to denote a space that is surrounded by a barrier or a process of enclosing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term can refer to something physically contained or a historical event. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from zoo animal habitats to historical land privatization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enclosure" is a versatile noun with meanings ranging from physical containment to historical land division. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct and widely used. Its frequency is very common, especially in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When using "enclosure", be mindful of its specific context to avoid confusion, particularly with similar-sounding words like "disclosure". Understanding its historical and scientific applications will help ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fenced area

Focuses on the physical barrier aspect, emphasizing the boundary created.

walled space

Highlights the presence of walls as the defining characteristic of the enclosed area.

contained environment

Emphasizes the controlled nature of the space, suitable for scientific or industrial contexts.

sealed compartment

Stresses the airtight or secure nature of the enclosed space.

protected habitat

Highlights the act of safeguarding a natural habitat within a defined boundary.

land appropriation

Specifically refers to the historical act of taking common land for private use.

private ownership of land

Highlights the result of the enclosure movement: private control over previously shared land.

barricaded section

Emphasizes the defensive or protective aspect of the enclosure.

restricted zone

Focuses on limiting access to a specific area.

inclusion in a letter

Refers to something added along with a letter, emphasizing the act of including an item.

FAQs

How is "enclosure" used in historical contexts?

In history, "enclosure" typically refers to the "enclosure movement", a process where common land was privatized, particularly in England. This had significant social and economic consequences.

What is meant by "enclosure" in scientific writing?

In scientific contexts, "enclosure" often describes a contained space or environment used for experiments or observation, such as a "controlled environment".

Can I use "enclosure" to mean something included in an email or letter?

Yes, "enclosure" can refer to an item included with a letter or email, such as a document or photograph. It's similar to saying "attachment" in digital communication.

What are some alternatives to "enclosure" when talking about a fenced area?

Alternatives to "enclosure" when describing a fenced area include "fenced area", "pen", or "compound", depending on the specific type and purpose of the area.