tartan

noun

tar·​tan ˈtär-tᵊn How to pronounce tartan (audio)
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
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.
Heritage British Plaids Checks, plaids, tartans, herringbones and the multitude of tweeds were the season’s comfort zone fabrics. Alex Badia, WWD, 17 Jan. 2025 And even if this preliminary power ranking is all wrong, consider this an introduction (or re-introduction) to the fame-chasers who are getting out their best tartan for our entertainment. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2025 The look includes a $4,500 tartan Miu Miu set featuring a $2,250 pleated miniskirt and $2,250 button-down top. Toria Sheffield, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024 For adults, Christmas brings office parties and cozy notions of home: a tartan throw, a wreath on the door, decorations handed down through generations. airmail.news, 21 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tartan 

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Middle French tiretaine linsey-woolsey

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tartan was circa 1500

Dictionary Entries Near tartan

Cite this Entry

“Tartan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tartan. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

tartan

noun
tar·​tan ˈtärt-ᵊn How to pronounce tartan (audio)
1
: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin
2
: a fabric or garment with tartan design

More from Merriam-Webster on tartan

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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