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
Her father’s passing has left the clan vulnerable, and since Red Jacob named no heir, his two sons, Dougal (Sam Retford) and Colum (Séamus McLean Ross), are locked in a battle for succession.
—
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 31 July 2025
In the first-season finale of the new Apple drama Chief of War, two rival clans prepare to do battle at the base of an active volcano on the island of Hawai’i.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2025
Last week, another member of the Kennedy clan, JFK's only grandson, Jack Schlossberg, shared a post on Instagram opposing the renaming of the famous institution.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 29 July 2025
But now their lives are disrupted by a new clan of Na’vi: the warlike, scary Mangkwan.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for clan
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Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 31 July 2025
In the first-season finale of the new Apple drama Chief of War, two rival clans prepare to do battle at the base of an active volcano on the island of Hawai’i.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2025
Last week, another member of the Kennedy clan, JFK's only grandson, Jack Schlossberg, shared a post on Instagram opposing the renaming of the famous institution.
—Meredith Kile, People.com, 29 July 2025
But now their lives are disrupted by a new clan of Na’vi: the warlike, scary Mangkwan.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 July 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 8 Aug. 2025.
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