surcoat UK /ˈsɜːˌkəʊt/US /ˈsɜɹˌkoʊt/ noun2 •(historical) A loose sleeveless garment worn over a suit of armor, sometimes colored or embroidered with the wearer's coat of arms.The Lord mayor and sheriff ride in their armour with surcoats of crimson. — 2020 •(historical) An overgarment worn over a woman's gown; a kind of short robe worn over the tunic at the close of the 11th century.She wore a short surcoat of scarlet, cut low around the shoulders, sleeveless, reaching just below her hips, like the tabards worn by medieval heralds. Over it she wore a laced-edged cotta. — 1965 formssurcoats