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
After being seated on the second level, attentive hosts dressed in tartan shirts and jeans share favorites from five menus available by Serafina, Develi Kebap, Yada Sushi, plus the Palazzo Steakhouse and Palazzo Patisserie.
—
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2024
Their second eye-catching ensemble saw Smith embracing one of Westwood’s favorite patterns — tartan.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024
Shares in the British luxury brand, known for its distinctive tartan design and trench coats, fell 9% on Friday morning after the company issued its second profit warning in three months.
—Carol Ryan, WSJ, 12 Jan. 2024
Made to order in more than 1,000 tartans with delivery across the world.
—Ross Kenneth Urken, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2023
The tartan blanket with fringe ends brings softness to a space thrown over the back of a chair, in a blanket basket, or on the couch.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024
Among the oddities noted by British media were an apparent misalignment of the queen’s tartan skirt and signs that Prince Louis may have been moved farther back.
—Karla Adam, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024
To finish out the look, Smith wore a green tartan headpiece and walked with a large stick.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024
Get the tartan throw in a variety of colors for just $32.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 19 Apr. 2024
Their second eye-catching ensemble saw Smith embracing one of Westwood’s favorite patterns — tartan.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024
Shares in the British luxury brand, known for its distinctive tartan design and trench coats, fell 9% on Friday morning after the company issued its second profit warning in three months.
—Carol Ryan, WSJ, 12 Jan. 2024
Made to order in more than 1,000 tartans with delivery across the world.
—Ross Kenneth Urken, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2023
The tartan blanket with fringe ends brings softness to a space thrown over the back of a chair, in a blanket basket, or on the couch.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024
Among the oddities noted by British media were an apparent misalignment of the queen’s tartan skirt and signs that Prince Louis may have been moved farther back.
—Karla Adam, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024
To finish out the look, Smith wore a green tartan headpiece and walked with a large stick.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024
Get the tartan throw in a variety of colors for just $32.
—Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tartan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near tartan
Cite this Entry
“Tartan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tartan. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.
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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