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 controversy raises uncomfortable questions about Mette-Marit’s position within the clan, particularly given the advanced age of King Harald V, who at 88, is Europe’s oldest monarch.
—
Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Because farmers had to borrow from family, friends, kin, and clan members, debt transformed the social relations that had previously protected their mental well-being.
—Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Originally built in 1849 by the Champawat clan, the historic structure has been meticulously restored to ensure the grand architecture of Rajasthan remains the focus.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
There’s little to suggest the current incident will dampen the clan’s ambition to push further into the $51 billion global baby formula industry.
—Tara Patel, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clan
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Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
Because farmers had to borrow from family, friends, kin, and clan members, debt transformed the social relations that had previously protected their mental well-being.
—Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
Originally built in 1849 by the Champawat clan, the historic structure has been meticulously restored to ensure the grand architecture of Rajasthan remains the focus.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
There’s little to suggest the current incident will dampen the clan’s ambition to push further into the $51 billion global baby formula industry.
—Tara Patel, Fortune, 5 Feb. 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 11 Feb. 2026.
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