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
The Richards family is one of America’s richest clans, thanks to its electrical manufacturing company Southwire.
—
Simone Melvin,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
All of this becomes Season 2's problems, which could see Oreana become a willing part of the Jackson clan after all, based on the telling look with Beulah.
—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
Zeenat’s mother was a respected woman in her clan; both of Zeenat’s sisters had married into a Syed family, and her brother worked for the village head and had authority enough to report directly to the local landlord.
—
Literary Hub,
30 June 2026
Rhaena is cast out, but the rest of the Velaryon clan are closer than ever.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clan
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Simone Melvin,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
All of this becomes Season 2's problems, which could see Oreana become a willing part of the Jackson clan after all, based on the telling look with Beulah.
—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
3 July 2026
Zeenat’s mother was a respected woman in her clan; both of Zeenat’s sisters had married into a Syed family, and her brother worked for the village head and had authority enough to report directly to the local landlord.
—
Literary Hub,
30 June 2026
Rhaena is cast out, but the rest of the Velaryon clan are closer than ever.
—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for clan
Cite this Entry
“Clan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clan. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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