conclave
/ˈkɒnkleɪv/noun★Intermediate
formal
A private meeting or assembly, especially a formal one.
The company's board of directors held a conclave to discuss the merger.
The conclave of world leaders resulted in a significant agreement.
formal
In the Catholic Church, a conclave is a gathering of cardinals to elect a new pope.
The cardinals entered the conclave to choose a new pope.
The conclave lasted for several days before a new pope was elected.
Collocations
papal conclavea conclave of cardinals to elect a new pope
Synonyms
Antonyms
💡Pro Tip
Usage tip
Use 'conclave' for formal or significant meetings, especially those with a sense of secrecy or exclusivity.
📖Word Origin
From Latin 'conclave', meaning 'a room that can be locked', from 'con-' (together) and 'clavis' (key).
📝Usage Notes
The term 'conclave' often implies a sense of formality and secrecy.
Word Breakdown
con-
together
prefix-clave
key
root✎ Noted on May 24, 2026EN → EN