knee breeches

American  

plural noun

1. breeches.

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Etymology

Origin of knee breeches

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Early on, and briefly, waiters were unfortunately tricked out in white wigs and satin knee breeches, a la Versailles-on-the-Venice-canals.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2025

The Comédie-Française’s actors undoubtedly look good in knee breeches, but you’d be hard-pressed to know what they, or Delétang, make of the revolution based on this production.

From New York Times • Jan. 19, 2023

He was the last president to wear the powdered wig and knee breeches of an eighteenth-century gentleman and nearly the last Revolutionary in high office.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

After becoming Speaker in 2009, he updated his own attire by wearing a business suit, rather than the knee breeches and tights worn by his predecessors.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2017

With the heavy golf stockings, knee breeches, and belted jacket, even to himself he seemed another man, and an older man he looked by five years.

From The Mountain Girl by Erskine, Payne