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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The back seam adds a sophisticated touch to otherwise standard semi-sheer tights, in black and tan. Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 10 Nov. 2022 With black and tan vegan leather options, this daily tote can pair with any outfit for any destination. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 19 Oct. 2022 The spectator shoe is a dress shoe that is distinguished by a two-tone color palette, most notably black and white, tan and white, or black and tan. Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 31 Aug. 2022 There are 15 colors to choose from, including classics like black and tan and fashion colors like lime, terra cotta and lake blue. Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 29 July 2022 The slides are available in bold colors like pink, lime, and orange, plus basics like black and tan. Claire Harmeyer, PEOPLE.com, 14 July 2022 The limited-edition model features the same black and tan two-tone look seen on the Project Maybach concept car that Abloh helped design, revealed by Mercedes last fall. Caleb Miller, Car and Driver, 5 Apr. 2022 What matters most to the Air Force vet from Hot Springs Village is for his dog, a 5-year-old black and tan coonhound named George Jones, to end up in a good home. Tess Vrbin, Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2022 On August 15, Duffy loaded three-year-old R.C.—named after Royal Crown Cola, on account of his black and tan coat—into his Jeep and drove 300 miles from Broomfield, Colorado, to the Rainbow Trout Ranch. Jon Billman, Outside Online, 13 Mar. 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'black-and-tan.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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 7 Dec. 2022.

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