1
a
: a Celtic group especially in the Scottish Highlands comprising a number of households whose heads claim descent from a common ancestor
the MacDonald clan
b
: a group of people tracing descent from a common ancestor : family
The whole clan gets together for the holidays.
2
: a group united by a common interest or common characteristics
the country club clan
Examples of clan in a Sentence
The tribe is divided into clans.
The whole clan gets together for the holidays.
Recent Examples on the Web
In Scotland, tartans are traditionally associated with different clans and families, though anyone can come up with their own tartan and register it with the Scottish government.
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
This flashback kickoff, which looks to tell the devious origin story of the megachurch-leading Gemstone clan, went from long shot to lock quickly.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
Besides new monsters, cards, and clans, the sequel adds some new things, all of which might add up to be a bit too much to manage for some folks.
—Ars Technica, 26 Feb. 2025
Unlike the other grandchildren in the Kardashian-Jenner clan, Kardashian revealed Tatum doesn't call matriarch Kris Jenner by her nickname Lovey.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clan
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Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
This flashback kickoff, which looks to tell the devious origin story of the megachurch-leading Gemstone clan, went from long shot to lock quickly.
—Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2025
Besides new monsters, cards, and clans, the sequel adds some new things, all of which might add up to be a bit too much to manage for some folks.
—Ars Technica, 26 Feb. 2025
Unlike the other grandchildren in the Kardashian-Jenner clan, Kardashian revealed Tatum doesn't call matriarch Kris Jenner by her nickname Lovey.
—Kayla Grant, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clan
Cite this Entry
“Clan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clan. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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