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
Nick, too, turns out to be loosely affiliated with the Winters clan.
—
Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, in a desperate attempt to both protect himself and buy enough time to find Julia, Henry agrees to become the bladier — or main advisor — to the Grants, a rival clan whose son, Malcolm (Jhon Lumsden), is set to marry Ellen as part of a strategic alliance.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Another aspect that attracted him was having a character who belongs to a community or a clan but who maintains his independence, makes his own decisions and even rejects tradition and what is expected of him.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Like a clan culture, the roles are easy to understand.
—Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clan
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Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Meanwhile, in a desperate attempt to both protect himself and buy enough time to find Julia, Henry agrees to become the bladier — or main advisor — to the Grants, a rival clan whose son, Malcolm (Jhon Lumsden), is set to marry Ellen as part of a strategic alliance.
—Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Another aspect that attracted him was having a character who belongs to a community or a clan but who maintains his independence, makes his own decisions and even rejects tradition and what is expected of him.
—Ed Meza, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025
Like a clan culture, the roles are easy to understand.
—Julia Sullivan, USA Today, 4 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2025.
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