clan

[ klan ]

noun

1. a group of families or households, as among the Scottish Highlanders, the heads of which claim descent from a common ancestor:

   the Mackenzie clan.

2. a group of people of common descent; family:

   Our whole clan got together for Thanksgiving.

3. a group of people, as a clique, set, society, or party, especially as united by some common trait, characteristic, or interest:

   a clan of actors and directors.

4. Anthropology.
   1. the principal social unit of tribal organization, in which descent is reckoned exclusively in either the paternal or the maternal line.
   2. a group of people regarded as being descended from a common ancestor.

clan

/ klæn /

noun

1. a group of people interrelated by ancestry or marriage
2. a group of families with a common surname and a common ancestor, acknowledging the same leader, esp among the Scots and the Irish
3. a group of people united by common characteristics, aims, or interests

Other Words From

• clanless adjective
• inter·clan adjective
• subclan noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clan¹

1375–1425; late Middle English ( Scots ) < Scots Gaelic clann < Old Irish cland offspring < Latin planta scion, plant, perhaps directly < British Celtic; compare Welsh plant children

Word History and Origins

Origin of clan¹

C14: from Scottish Gaelic clann family, descendants, from Latin planta sprout, plant ¹

Example Sentences

Lawrence is quick to admit that he’s not the funniest person in his clan — that title, he says, goes to his brother Robert.

From Los Angeles Times

In order to preserve the rigid status quo, the clan’s patriarch will do everything he can to keep the winds of change from invading his household and affecting his wife and daughters.

From Los Angeles Times

Later, she takes revenge on her entire clan — whom she considers complicit in keeping her committed at Arkham — by gassing them, strutting around her family’s mansion in a yellow gown and a gas mask.

From Los Angeles Times

The matches can get heated when the influencers debate the strengths of different clans.

From BBC

According to the youngest generation of the Hartley clan, Jamie, 19, and Amy ,18, the "legendary" pick-n-mix sweet boxes have also stayed the same over the years since their grandfather first opened up.

From BBC

Related Words

• band
• faction
• gang
• mob
• sect
• society
• tribe