Definition of "tartan" []

• Any of numerous textile patterns consisting of stripes of varying widths and colors crossed at right angles against a solid background, each forming a distinctive design worn by the members of a Scottish clan. (noun)
• A twilled wool fabric or garment having such a pattern. (noun)
• A plaid fabric. (noun)
• A small, single-masted Mediterranean ship with a large lateen sail. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "He spent many an hour playing WoW, dressed in tartan flannel."
• "And they're available in tartan, paisley and geometric patterns in a variety of colours."
• "The ring-leader is a buff, shirtless fellow in tartan punk-pants who calls himself (and I am NOT making this up) "Funktastic.""