tartan

noun

tar·​tan ˈtär-tᵊn 

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

The sport seats are clad in a modern interpretation of the distinctive tartan pattern of the GTI heritage. — New Atlas, 17 Sep. 2026

That’s most notable in the Street Style package, a design reminiscent of Porsche’s more lurid tartans over the years, but here implemented in woven leather. — Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2026

Barbour creates new iterations of its tartan every season, working different combinations of colors into the mix. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

The royal family even has its own traditional tartan, the Balmoral tartan, which was created by Prince Albert in 1857 and is gray, black, and red, The Mirror reported. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Middle French tiretaine linsey-woolsey

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for tartan

• carton
• garten
• marten
• parton
• spartan
• kindergarten

Kids Definition

tartan

noun

tar·​tan ˈtärt-ᵊn 

1

: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin

2

: a fabric or garment with tartan design