pinstripe

noun

pin·​stripe ˈpin-ˌstrīp 

variants or less commonly pin-stripe or pin stripe

plural pinstripes also pin-stripes or pin stripes

1

: a very thin stripe especially on a fabric

… sporting a loose brown vest with tan and blue pinstripes …

—Donnell Alexander

—often used before another noun

pinstripe pants

a pin-stripe blazer

2

: clothing (especially a suit) with such stripes

—often used in plural

wore pinstripes to the office

pin-striped

ˈpin-ˌstrīpt 

adjective

or pinstriped

pin-striped pants

Examples of pinstripe in a Sentence

a dark suit with white pinstripes

a man dressed in pinstripes

Recent Examples on the Web

In a new promo, Hernández is seen wearing the exact Chanel pinstripe suit Styles rocked at the 2026 BRIT Awards last month, dancing to the Kiss All the Time. —Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026

As for the colors and prints that embrace this design, monochromatic trousers are the most popular—in shades like khaki, camel or sand—and plain designs, though pinstripes also work as the sole print. —Tatiana Ojea, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2026

The pinstripes stand out and have a classic look, like the New York Yankees or Los Angeles Dodgers. —Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026

As David Bednar prepares for his first full season in pinstripes, the Yankees’ closer and impending free agent is trying to stay present. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pinstripe

• bagpipe
• blowpipe
• standpipe
• stovepipe
• subtype
• tailpipe
• unripe
• windpipe
• allotype
• antitype
• archetype
• biotype

Kids Definition

pinstripe

noun

pin·​stripe ˈpin-ˌstrīp 

: a very thin stripe on a fabric

also : a suit with such stripes

pin-striped

-ˌstrīpt

adjective