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 landscapes feel plucked from an epic poem, and centuries of battles, folklore, and ancient clans set the tone for a vibrant culture steeped in history. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2025 Hamas’ internal security forces were pictured on the streets of Gaza City on Saturday, and there have been multiple reports of clashes between the group and clans opposing it in recent days. Tim Lister, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025 Lung created The Monsters universe in 2015 with other characters such as Mokoko, Spooky, Tycoco, Yaya, Puca, Pippo, Vos, Monster Boy, Pato, and Zimomo, who is the leader of the Labubu clan. Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2025 But things change the next morning when all of the clans light burning crosses in a call to action to join the Jacobite rebellion — a call that Brian must answer or face being labeled a traitor. Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 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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