bikini

noun

bi·​ki·​ni bə-ˈkē-nē How to pronounce bikini (audio)
plural bikinis
1
a
: a two-piece bathing suit worn by women that does not cover the midriff see also string bikini, tankini
b
: a short snug swimsuit worn by men
2
: a pair of low-cut briefs (see brief entry 2 sense 4)
Launched in May, the underwear brand for men and women includes bikinis, … G-strings and boxer briefs.Phyllis Furman
… ultra low-rise jeans with a built-in bikini or thong.Sunday Tribune (South Africa)
often used before another noun
Bikini briefs are usually lower than the true waist, often at the hips.Clifford Pugh
bikinied adjective
or less commonly bikini'd

Examples of bikini 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.
Another photo showed Manolo snapping a selfie as Vergara's sister Veronica laid back in a chair in a bikini. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024 Catherine strips to just her bikini bottoms, expressing anxiety over her older, post-motherhood body (which is, for the record, a Hollywood-perfect body). Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024 In the photos, Biles is seen getting some sun in a striped bikini, toasting with cocktails along with husband Jonathan Owens, doing a little reading by the pool and capturing moments with a few friends. Danielle Jennings, People.com, 11 Oct. 2024 Union also shared several stylish photos of her various looks from her travels, including bikinis in pink, blue and red, as well as a white, floral cropped matching set. Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bikini 

Word History

Etymology

French, from Bikini, atoll of the Marshall Islands

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bikini was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near bikini

Cite this Entry

“Bikini.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bikini. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

bikini

noun
bi·​ki·​ni bə-ˈkē-nē How to pronounce bikini (audio)
: a scanty two-piece bathing suit for a girl or woman
Etymology

from French bikini "two-piece bathing suit," from Bikini, atoll in the Marshall Islands

Geographical Definition

Bikini

geographical name

Bi·​ki·​ni bi-ˈkē-nē How to pronounce Bikini (audio)
island (atoll) of the Marshall Islands

Note: Bikini was the site of U.S. atomic bomb tests in 1946 and hydrogen bomb tests in 1954 and 1956.

Bikinian noun

More from Merriam-Webster on bikini

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