clan

noun

ˈklan 

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

Synonyms

• body
• bunch
• circle
• clique
• community
• coterie
• coven
• crowd
• fold
• galère
• gang
• klatch
• klatsch
• lot
• network
• pack
• ring
• set

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

Any recognition of Somaliland as an independent state will result in dangerous repercussions, including exacerbating internal divisions between the various clans of Somaliland that support independence and others that seek to remain within the Somali federal state. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

The upcoming Season 5 finale of Yellowstone will not be the end of the Dutton clan’s story. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024

The fate of the Yellowstone Ranch and the Dutton clan all remain very much in the air, as does the very existence of the television show itself. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024

The core Wales clan were in attendance, with Prince William arriving alongside Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. —Isaac Bickerstaff, Glamour, 6 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing clan

• inter-clan
• sub-clan

Kids Definition

clan

noun

ˈklan 

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