conclave

UK: /ˈkɒnkleɪv/ US: /ˈkɑnkleɪv, ˈkɑŋ-/ ,(kon′klāv, kong′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•clave /ˈkɑnkleɪv, ˈkɑŋ-/   n. [countable]

1. a private or secret meeting, esp. one that has special authority or influence.
2. Religion the assembly or meeting of the cardinals for the election of a pope.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

con•clave  (kon′klāv, kong′-), n. 

1. a private or secret meeting.
2. an assembly or gathering, esp. one that has special authority, power, or influence:
   a conclave of political leaders.
3. Religion the assembly or meeting of the cardinals for the election of a pope.
4. Religion the body of cardinals;
   the College of Cardinals.
5. Religion the place in which the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church meet in private for the election of a pope.

• Medieval Latin, Latin conclāve room, enclosed space, representing (camera) cum clāve (room) with key. See con-, clef
• Middle English 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

conclave / ˈkɒnkleɪv ˈkɒŋ-/ noun

1. a confidential or secret meeting
2. the closed apartments where the college of cardinals elects a new pope
3. a meeting of the college of cardinals for this purpose

Etymology: 14th Century: from Medieval Latin conclāve, from Latin: cage, place that may be locked, from clāvis key