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
Another reason involves public interest in Scottish culture and icons ranging from whiskey production and tartans and events including The Open or Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival.
—
Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Swift's outfit that Naya so highly praised was a $4,500 tartan Miu Miu set (featuring a $2,250 pleated mini skirt and $2,250 button-down top) right in line with all the rest of the plaid she's been rocking this year.
—Hedy Phillips, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Hearken back to a simpler time with this vintage style flask with a cool tartan pattern.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Princess Charlotte’s attire for the holiday featured a blue and green tartan coat with long sleeves, a black collar and sharp lapels.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tartan 
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Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
Swift's outfit that Naya so highly praised was a $4,500 tartan Miu Miu set (featuring a $2,250 pleated mini skirt and $2,250 button-down top) right in line with all the rest of the plaid she's been rocking this year.
—Hedy Phillips, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Hearken back to a simpler time with this vintage style flask with a cool tartan pattern.
—Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Nov. 2024
Princess Charlotte’s attire for the holiday featured a blue and green tartan coat with long sleeves, a black collar and sharp lapels.
—Julia Teti, WWD, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tartan
Dictionary Entries Near tartan
Cite this Entry
“Tartan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tartan. Accessed 6 Jan. 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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