1
: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin consisting of stripes of varying width and color usually patterned to designate a distinctive clan
2
a
: a twilled woolen fabric with tartan design
b
: a fabric with tartan design
3
: a garment of tartan design
Examples of tartan in a Sentence
a kilt in the clan's tartan
Recent Examples on the Web
Last year, Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dior Cruise 2025 collection reveled in Scottish Highlands-ready tweeds and tartans in a show staged at Drummond Castle in Perthshire.
—
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 June 2025
Viscose pleated denim allows beautiful movement, while flannels and tartans nod to classic tailoring.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 May 2025
Cardi also wore a graphic white T-shirt with her look and styled a tartan skirt by Vivienne Westwood in shades of white, red and black.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Feb. 2025
Where to stay The most exciting addition to Edinburgh’s hotel scene in 2024 was 100 Princes Street, an upscale property in the New Town neighborhood where, much like a members’ club, drinking and dining is for residents only and its interiors are clad in rich tartan and velvet.
—Lottie Gross, AFAR Media, 20 May 2025
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Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 June 2025
Viscose pleated denim allows beautiful movement, while flannels and tartans nod to classic tailoring.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 27 May 2025
Cardi also wore a graphic white T-shirt with her look and styled a tartan skirt by Vivienne Westwood in shades of white, red and black.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 10 Feb. 2025
Where to stay The most exciting addition to Edinburgh’s hotel scene in 2024 was 100 Princes Street, an upscale property in the New Town neighborhood where, much like a members’ club, drinking and dining is for residents only and its interiors are clad in rich tartan and velvet.
—Lottie Gross, AFAR Media, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for tartan
Cite this Entry
“Tartan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tartan. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tartan
noun
tar·tan
ˈtärt-ᵊn 
1
: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin
2
: a fabric or garment with tartan design
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