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
Here, Crowe lets the Fraser tartan do its talking on the canvas of a drop-point collared white shirt, backed by a smart navy suit.
—
Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
The range includes training kits, travel wear and a warm-up top that draws its design from Welsh history, with a pattern inspired by traditional Welsh tartan.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 11 July 2025
Porsche just unveiled a love letter to its most diehard 911 fans in America in the form of the 911 Club Coupe, a limited-edition model for enthusiasts who want more tartan and flat-six in their lives.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 July 2025
Pieces include a sleeveless tartan top with pockets that could be mistaken for a gigantic scarf; delicate skirts in the style of a sarong wrap, and long-sleeve mesh T-shirts.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 21 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tartan
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Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
The range includes training kits, travel wear and a warm-up top that draws its design from Welsh history, with a pattern inspired by traditional Welsh tartan.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 11 July 2025
Porsche just unveiled a love letter to its most diehard 911 fans in America in the form of the 911 Club Coupe, a limited-edition model for enthusiasts who want more tartan and flat-six in their lives.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 July 2025
Pieces include a sleeveless tartan top with pockets that could be mistaken for a gigantic scarf; delicate skirts in the style of a sarong wrap, and long-sleeve mesh T-shirts.
—Hikmat Mohammed, WWD, 21 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 21 Jul. 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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