clan

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Conners rose from its ashes, controversially killing off Barr's Roseanne Conner via an opioid overdose in order to focus on the extended Conner clan, including John Goodman's Dan, Sara Gilbert's Darlene, and Laurie Metcalf's Jackie. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025 As boss Richie Stevenson looks to pin blame, patriarch Conrad Harrigan gathers his clan with a plan. Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025 The Roseanne spinoff celebrated its series finale tonight with one final nod to the matriarch while acknowledging that life is still good for this working-class clan. Lynette Rice, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2025 After ignoring the warning, Remmick succeeds at transforming them, ultimately recruiting them into his blood thirsty clan. Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clan

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Scottish Gaelic clann offspring, clan, from Old Irish cland plant, offspring, from Latin planta plant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of clan was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clan. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

clan

noun
1
a
: a group (as in the Scottish Highlands) made up of households whose heads claim to have a common ancestor
b
: a group of people having a common ancestor : family
2
: a group of persons united by a common interest
the whole clan of actors

More from Merriam-Webster on clan

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