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
Its attached hood has a signature tartan plaid, and its swingy cut with an asymmetrical hem and boxy fit continues the statement.
—
Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Isabel Marant brought a New Wave edge to men’s and women’s denim, mixing mini wrap skirts and vests with red tartan tops.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025
Now, a new Scottish tartan is memorializing the victims of the Witchcraft Act.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
This is a Scotland commemorative 2000 plaid tartan.
—Savannah White, Glamour, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tartan
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Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 20 Mar. 2025
Isabel Marant brought a New Wave edge to men’s and women’s denim, mixing mini wrap skirts and vests with red tartan tops.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025
Now, a new Scottish tartan is memorializing the victims of the Witchcraft Act.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Mar. 2025
This is a Scotland commemorative 2000 plaid tartan.
—Savannah White, Glamour, 18 Feb. 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 2 Apr. 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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