: a coat with tails
especially : a man's full-dress coat with two long tapering skirts at the back

Examples of tailcoat 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.
In the photos, the young royal wore his new uniform, consisting of a black tailcoat, waistcoat, white collar and pinstriped trousers. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 Sep. 2026 There’s an infamous photo of Prince William looking like a posh Spice Girl in a Union Jack waistcoat under his Eton tailcoat. — Eva Wolchover, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026 George, who is second in line to the British throne, arrived in a jacket, shirt and tie and dark trousers but soon changed into the school’s uniform of a black tailcoat, waistcoat and pinstriped trousers, with a stiff white collar. — Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026 In September, George will become the latest royal to don Eton’s famous uniform, consisting of a black tailcoat, waistcoat and pin-striped trousers. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tailcoat

Word History

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tailcoat was in 1847

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Cite this Entry

“Tailcoat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tailcoat. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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