Ku Klux Klan

noun

ˈkü-ˈkləks-ˈklan How to pronounce Ku Klux Klan (audio)
 also  ˈkyü-,
 or  ˈklü-
1
: a violent secret fraternal society founded in 1915 in Georgia to maintain white Protestant cultural and political power
also : any one of more than 20 hate (see hate entry 1 sense 1c) groups that associate themselves with the Ku Klux Klan
2
: a violent post-Civil War secret society founded in Tennessee in 1866 to upend the Black political and social power that was being established during Reconstruction

Note: This Ku Klux Klan had largely dissolved by the end of the 1870s.

Examples of Ku Klux Klan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Worried about its investment, MGM made several cuts and changes to stem the growing outrage among the country’s Irish Catholics — who, it should be noted, already felt under attack by a resurgent and powerful Ku Klux Klan that mocked their faith and questioned their patriotism. Dan Barry, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Among the top 50 individuals honored in public monuments were Confederate leaders including Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson and Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate general who was the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 And beginning in the 1920s, the region became a hot spot for Ku Klux Klan gatherings, including cross burnings in its larger towns. Joe Heim, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 With the enthusiastic support of his white co-workers, Weber welcomed the national spotlight – until David Duke and the Ku Klux Klan showed up in white robes to picket the Kaiser Aluminum plant. Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 The candidate, Darrell Leon McClanahan, is depicted in the photograph next to a person who was wearing what appear to be hooded Ku Klux Klan robes. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 5 Mar. 2024 The process to remove Darrell Leon McClanahan III from the ballot began after photos showing him with Ku Klux Klan members and a burning cross resurfaced online. Essence, 5 Mar. 2024 Guards End Conference With Attorneys in Jail—Refuses to Testify Without Their Advice D.C. Stephenson, life convict and former grand dragon of the Indiana Ku Klux Klan, was brought to Kokomo to testify in grand jury investigation of corrupt bankers operating in Indiana. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Feb. 2024 Chaney also did civil rights work and was traveling with two coworkers, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner on June 21, 1964 when the three were murdered near Philadelphia, Mississippi, by Ku Klux Klan members. Graham Womack, Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Ku Klux Klan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of Ku Klux Klan was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near Ku Klux Klan

Cite this Entry

“Ku Klux Klan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Ku%20Klux%20Klan. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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