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 compilation clip featured lively snippets of the El Moussa clan's visit to Sin City, including outfit reveals, preparation for El Moussa's keynote speaker gig and a theatrical live show.
—
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 June 2025
The father, Buddy Smart (Bryan Cranston), is the clan’s second-rate crackpot visionary, a cockeyed optimist who dresses in fuddy-duddy jackets and never knows where the next paycheck is coming from.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 June 2025
Hyannis Main Street has a mix of souvenir shopping and fun bars and restaurants, while neighboring Hyannis Port is where the Kennedy clan’s compound served as a major backdrop to Camelot.
—Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel is arming clans in the Gaza Strip to combat Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that Israel has been fighting for almost 20 months.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for clan
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Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 June 2025
The father, Buddy Smart (Bryan Cranston), is the clan’s second-rate crackpot visionary, a cockeyed optimist who dresses in fuddy-duddy jackets and never knows where the next paycheck is coming from.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 11 June 2025
Hyannis Main Street has a mix of souvenir shopping and fun bars and restaurants, while neighboring Hyannis Port is where the Kennedy clan’s compound served as a major backdrop to Camelot.
—Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel is arming clans in the Gaza Strip to combat Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that Israel has been fighting for almost 20 months.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 5 June 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 19 Jun. 2025.
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