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 reality series started in 2007, propelling the entire Kardashian-Jenner clan to impressive levels of fame and giving them the opportunity to build a business empire.
—
Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Fruits Basket tells of Tohru Honda, who's living in a tent after a family tragedy when she's discovered by the mysterious Soma clan.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
In classical antiquity, the mountainous region was notorious for bandits; in modern times, blood feuds among clans were rife.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
In the case of the 2019 Green Vault robbery, the five men convicted were part of the Remmo clan, one of Germany’s most powerful crime families, which operates mostly in Berlin.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clan
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Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
Fruits Basket tells of Tohru Honda, who's living in a tent after a family tragedy when she's discovered by the mysterious Soma clan.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
In classical antiquity, the mountainous region was notorious for bandits; in modern times, blood feuds among clans were rife.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
In the case of the 2019 Green Vault robbery, the five men convicted were part of the Remmo clan, one of Germany’s most powerful crime families, which operates mostly in Berlin.
—Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 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 29 Oct. 2025.
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