pantaloon
noun
pan·ta·loon
ˌpan-tə-ˈlün 
1
a
or pantalone
capitalized
: a character in the commedia dell'arte that is usually a skinny old dotard who wears spectacles, slippers, and a tight-fitting combination of trousers and stockings
b
: a buffoon in pantomimes
2
pantaloons plural
a
: wide breeches worn especially in England during the reign of Charles II
b
: close-fitting trousers usually having straps passing under the instep and worn especially in the 19th century
3
: loose-fitting usually shorter than ankle-length trousers
Examples of pantaloon in a Sentence
loose-fitting cotton pantaloons that are designed to be worn as loungewear
Recent Examples on the Web
But while there were plenty of literal references to the eras the novel was set in — notably, removable statement collars, pantaloons (don’t let go of those capri pants yet!), and shirting with decorative cuff and neck detailing — the collection was reimagined through a timeless lens.
—
Irina Grechko, Refinery29, 5 Mar. 2025
Dresses, skirts, wide-leg silhouettes, pantaloons—all are great options for allowing what few breezes pass through the city to access, uh, restricted areas.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 24 June 2025
The brand recently dipped into pants—or, rather, pantaloons—dressing Anya Taylor-Joy and Keira Knightley in lace and velvet trousers.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2024
With awards season in full swing, stars have been reaching for fresh off the runway looks, custom gowns, and archival gems: see Anya Taylor-Joy in the hottest Chloé pantaloons, Elle Fanning’s Prada moments, and Olivia Rodrigo in archive Mugler.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
Sporting a goatee, tricorn hat, purple vest and pantaloons, the bad-news buccaneer ambushed the victim near the station’s turnstiles, punching him repeatedly before making off with his AirPods and sneakers.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2024
What was once avant-garde (the pantaloon, the stirrup, the male stocking, the chubby old manager inexplicably kitting up in full uniform) has become passé.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Several said the Duggars’ TLC show reminded them of their own strict upbringings, especially depictions of the docile, obedient Duggar children in their pilgrim collars and pantaloons.
—Anne Branigin, Washington Post, 2 June 2023
Black women painted with dramatic makeup wear pantaloons and lacy corsets to create editorial tableaux reminiscent of a Beyoncé visual album.
—Vulture, 8 May 2023
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Irina Grechko, Refinery29, 5 Mar. 2025
Dresses, skirts, wide-leg silhouettes, pantaloons—all are great options for allowing what few breezes pass through the city to access, uh, restricted areas.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 24 June 2025
The brand recently dipped into pants—or, rather, pantaloons—dressing Anya Taylor-Joy and Keira Knightley in lace and velvet trousers.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2024
With awards season in full swing, stars have been reaching for fresh off the runway looks, custom gowns, and archival gems: see Anya Taylor-Joy in the hottest Chloé pantaloons, Elle Fanning’s Prada moments, and Olivia Rodrigo in archive Mugler.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
Sporting a goatee, tricorn hat, purple vest and pantaloons, the bad-news buccaneer ambushed the victim near the station’s turnstiles, punching him repeatedly before making off with his AirPods and sneakers.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2024
What was once avant-garde (the pantaloon, the stirrup, the male stocking, the chubby old manager inexplicably kitting up in full uniform) has become passé.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
Several said the Duggars’ TLC show reminded them of their own strict upbringings, especially depictions of the docile, obedient Duggar children in their pilgrim collars and pantaloons.
—Anne Branigin, Washington Post, 2 June 2023
Black women painted with dramatic makeup wear pantaloons and lacy corsets to create editorial tableaux reminiscent of a Beyoncé visual album.
—Vulture, 8 May 2023
Cite this Entry
“Pantaloon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pantaloon. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pantaloon
noun
pan·ta·loon
ˌpant-ᵊl-ˈün
1
plural
: close-fitting trousers usually with straps passing under the insteps
2
: loose-fitting usually shorter than ankle-length trousers see Word History at pants
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