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

At the heart of the fun and flirty brand is a sense of family, right down to the mini- and maxi-length kilts featuring the Bute family tartan. —Violet Goldstone, WWD, 23 Oct. 2024

These tartan Mama Bear slippers are bound to be a hit with any mother figure in your life. —Esme Benjamin, Peoplemag, 15 Sep. 2024

Brooke Shields brought the plaids, checks and tartan trend to Forbes’ 50 over 50 celebration in New York on Friday. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 27 Oct. 2024

The princess wore a dark green wide-brimmed hat with feathers on the side and a brown tartan checked coat, while William wore a dark suit for the occasion. —Escher Walcott, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Middle French tiretaine linsey-woolsey

First Known Use

circa 1500, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tartan

noun

tar·​tan ˈtärt-ᵊn 

1

: a plaid textile design of Scottish origin

2

: a fabric or garment with tartan design