Clan
/klæn/
Definitions
A large family group, especially a group of related families that live in the same area and share a common ancestry.
/klæn/
A group of people united by kinship or shared descent.
My family is part of a large clan.
💡 Simply: Imagine a big, happy family, but super huge! That's a clan. Like, all your cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents – and maybe even more distant relatives – all living together or close by. They might even share a special name or symbol.
👶 For kids: A big family group!
More Examples
The warring clans fought for many years.
His clan has lived in the same area for generations.
How It's Used
"The Scottish Highlands were known for their fiercely independent clans."
"The warring clans fought for control of the land."
From Middle Scots and Middle English *clan, from Scottish Gaelic clann "offspring, children, descendants; family, tribe", from Old Irish cland "offspring, descendants, family, tribe".
The term 'clan' has long been associated with Scottish and Irish society, reflecting the importance of kinship ties in their history and culture.
Memory tip
Think of 'clan' as a close-knit family, like a 'clan'destine meeting of relatives.
Word Origin
"offspring, descendants"