breeches

/ˈbrɪtʃɪz/

/ˈbrɪtʃɪz/

Breeches are an old-fashioned kind of short pants that end at the knee. These days, you're most likely to wear breeches if you ride horses (or if you like to dress up in 18th-century clothes).

Riding breeches are designed to make horseback riders comfortable and streamlined. They're snug-fitting and usually meant to be worn with tall riding boots. Fencers wear a similar type of breeches as part of their uniform. From the 16th to the 19th century, breeches were ordinary adult men's clothing, sometimes also called britches.

Definitions of breeches

1. noun

   trousers ending above the knee
   synonyms: knee breeches, knee pants, knickerbockers, knickers

   types:

   britches

   informal term for breeches

   buckskins

   breeches made of buckskin

   plus fours

   men's baggy knickers hanging below the knees; formerly worn for sports (especially golf)

   trunk hose

   puffed breeches of the 16th and 17th centuries usually worn over hose

   type of:

   pant, trouser

   (usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately