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 youngest of the Day-Lewis clan relocated to Ireland after graduating from college, working in a pub while writing music for the National Concert Hall (NCH).
—
Alyssa Davis, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
But the most visible female performers are still constrained, forced to navigate complex paths to fame while balancing the expectations of family, clan, and a conservative society.
—Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Timing and casting for the series, which will tell the story of a new generation of our beloved Birmingham clan, are to be determined.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
His new book paints a varied portrait through courtyards, alleyways and community buildings, whether clan associations or methodist churches, that have offered refuge and camaraderie to generations of Asian diasporas.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clan
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Alyssa Davis, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
But the most visible female performers are still constrained, forced to navigate complex paths to fame while balancing the expectations of family, clan, and a conservative society.
—Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Timing and casting for the series, which will tell the story of a new generation of our beloved Birmingham clan, are to be determined.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
His new book paints a varied portrait through courtyards, alleyways and community buildings, whether clan associations or methodist churches, that have offered refuge and camaraderie to generations of Asian diasporas.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 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 8 Oct. 2025.
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