black-and-tan

1 of 2

adjective

1
of a dog's coat : having a predominantly black color pattern with deep red or rusty tan usually on the feet, breeching, and cheek patches, above the eyes, and inside the ears
2
or Black-and-Tan dated, US politics : favoring or practicing proportional representation of Black and white people in politics compare lily-white sense 3
3
US, dated : frequented by both Black and white people
a black-and-tan bar

black and tan

2 of 2

noun

1
: a black-and-tan dog
2
: a drink consisting of a dark beer (such as stout or porter) and ale or beer of a paler color
3
Black and Tan [from the color of his uniform] : a recruit enlisted in England in 1920–21 for service in the Royal Irish Constabulary against the armed movement for Irish independence

Examples of black-and-tan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
On her afternoon out with friends, Eden stood out in a cherry red blazer, elegant white top, black trousers and black-and-tan wedge sandals. Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 24 May 2024 Two-year-old Falcon has some black-and-tan in him with the coat of a German shepherd. Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 15 Apr. 2024
Noun
The sleek exteriors may wear different colors, but the interiors both feature Bridge of Weir tan leather seats, which feature a completely unique tactile woven finish, and matching black and tan leather trim. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2024 There was an abstracted print of swimmers rendered in black and tan, which called to mind a tiger print. Blue Carreon, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for black-and-tan 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1786, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of black-and-tan was in 1786

Dictionary Entries Near black-and-tan

black-and-blue

black-and-tan

black and tan

Cite this Entry

“Black-and-tan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black-and-tan. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!