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
Cancers are protective of their families, much like Raphael is of his clan.
—
Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Visitors can see recreations of historic totem poles, a community clan house and a working totem pole workshop in the Organized Village of Saxman, less than 3 miles from downtown Ketchikan.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
Tsunetomo referred to the example of Nakano Shōgen, who brought peace after persuading his lord, Mitsushige, to apologize for not paying proper respect to certain families within the clan.
—Kenneth Andrew Andres Leonardo, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
For example, Crow people have held onto their nation's language; neighbors are often family, or considered such; and many tribal members rely on their clans to mentor children, who eventually become mentors themselves for the next generation.
—Katheryn Houghton, NPR, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clan
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Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Visitors can see recreations of historic totem poles, a community clan house and a working totem pole workshop in the Organized Village of Saxman, less than 3 miles from downtown Ketchikan.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026
Tsunetomo referred to the example of Nakano Shōgen, who brought peace after persuading his lord, Mitsushige, to apologize for not paying proper respect to certain families within the clan.
—Kenneth Andrew Andres Leonardo, The Conversation, 8 Jan. 2026
For example, Crow people have held onto their nation's language; neighbors are often family, or considered such; and many tribal members rely on their clans to mentor children, who eventually become mentors themselves for the next generation.
—Katheryn Houghton, NPR, 8 Jan. 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 16 Jan. 2026.
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