enclosure

enclosure — noun

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

1.名詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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]

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

文法句型

enclosure + for [purpose]

enclosure + around [area]

用法筆記

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).

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞C1
釋義

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

例句

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.

同義詞
  • fencing

    more general term for putting up a fence, less formal

  • fencing-off

    emphasises separation of an area from its surroundings

文法句型

the enclosure of + [land/area]

用法筆記

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.'

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B2
釋義

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

例句

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'

同義詞
  • 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

文法句型

enclosure + in [envelope/parcel]

enclosures: [list]

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.'