clan

noun

ˈklan 

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

Synonyms

• body
• bunch
• circle
• clique
• community
• coterie
• coven
• crowd
• fold
• galère
• gang
• klatch
• klatsch
• lot
• network
• pack
• ring
• set

Example Sentences

The tribe is divided into clans.

The whole clan gets together for the holidays.

Recent Examples on the Web

Should a member of this clan gain power following Putin, the results could be devastating. —Jordan Michael Smith, The New Republic, 2 June 2023

Photo: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg News President Joe Biden enjoys strong support among members of the Kennedy family, and perhaps especially among those members of the Kennedy clan who work for him. —James Freeman, WSJ, 30 May 2023

The Parambil clan is part of a long-existing Christian community. —Denise Davidson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2023

The entire James clan – dad LeBron, mom Savannah, brother Bryce, sister Zhuri and grandma Gloria – were all on hand for Bronny James' graduation. —Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, 27 May 2023

Nearly 50 years after the show wrapped, the Studio City home where Carol, Mike, and their clan of six kids once lived is up for grabs. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 May 2023

As of 2015, there were nearly 11 million Kims in Korea — almost 1 of every 5 Korean nationals — divided into clans based on geographical region. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 16 May 2023

Not my whole culture, but with this specific clan and their laws and the Gypsy laws. —The Foretold Team, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2023

The Somali government has been resupplying the clan militias with ammunition and other aid. —Eric Schmitt Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2023

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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

Phrases Containing clan

• inter-clan
• sub-clan

• inter-clan
• sub-clan

Kids Definition

clan

noun

ˈklan 

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