clan

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the premiere episode, the Kardashian-Jenner clan took a family trip to Cabo, where Kardashian once again came face to face with her fear. Dayna Haffenden, People.com, 30 May 2025 When the Nazis came to power in 1933, the Ophuls clan left Germany for Paris. David Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 Their only daughter and the baby of the clan, Zhuri, was born in 2014 during her late 20s. Essence, 27 May 2025 As boss Richie Stevenson looks to pin blame, patriarch Conrad Harrigan gathers his clan with a plan. Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for clan

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Scottish Gaelic clann offspring, clan, from Old Irish cland plant, offspring, from Latin planta plant

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of clan was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clan. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

clan

noun
1
a
: a group (as in the Scottish Highlands) made up of households whose heads claim to have a common ancestor
b
: a group of people having a common ancestor : family
2
: a group of persons united by a common interest
the whole clan of actors

More from Merriam-Webster on clan

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