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 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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Clan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clan. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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