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
Their signature tartan plaid is yellow and black.
—
Lauren Frayer, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025
The design leans rustic (give or take a couple of Togo chairs), with moss green paneling, tartan upholstery, and wood beams running throughout.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
The tradition muted palette gets a graphic update courtesy of pops of color informed by school pennants, an LV monogram tartan, as well as on theme embroideries and crests that extend to small accessories in the form of what are sure to be covetable caps, scarves, and ties.
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
This season, there are houndstooth jackets, embroidered tartans, rose print evening dresses and pinwhale corduroy shirts with broderie anglaise details.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tartan
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.
Lauren Frayer, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025
The design leans rustic (give or take a couple of Togo chairs), with moss green paneling, tartan upholstery, and wood beams running throughout.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
The tradition muted palette gets a graphic update courtesy of pops of color informed by school pennants, an LV monogram tartan, as well as on theme embroideries and crests that extend to small accessories in the form of what are sure to be covetable caps, scarves, and ties.
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025
This season, there are houndstooth jackets, embroidered tartans, rose print evening dresses and pinwhale corduroy shirts with broderie anglaise details.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 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 18 Sep. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share