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
Pieces like this crystal-studded satin minidress and tartan pleated skort would work well for parties or dressier days.
—
Malia Griggs, Glamour, 12 Dec. 2025
In addition to embracing these colors, designers are incorporating tartan in unexpected ways, using it on rugs and lampshades as well as upholstery for modern furniture pieces.
—Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
Enjoy Holiday Tea At Oatlands Pull out your tartan, your red and green, and your festive best, and settle in for a holiday tea at the historic Oatlands estate.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
Take the windowpane plaid headboard and couch of this charming Maine abode and the tartan plaid of the curtains in this historic Seattle estate as examples.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tartan
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Malia Griggs, Glamour, 12 Dec. 2025
In addition to embracing these colors, designers are incorporating tartan in unexpected ways, using it on rugs and lampshades as well as upholstery for modern furniture pieces.
—Cornelia Powers, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2025
Enjoy Holiday Tea At Oatlands Pull out your tartan, your red and green, and your festive best, and settle in for a holiday tea at the historic Oatlands estate.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 5 Dec. 2025
Take the windowpane plaid headboard and couch of this charming Maine abode and the tartan plaid of the curtains in this historic Seattle estate as examples.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 5 Dec. 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 Dec. 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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