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 Around midnight, the evening’s surprise performer, reggaeton songstress Bad Gyal, took to Boom’s round bar in a crystallized bikini top and a pair of Jacobs’ towering Kiki platforms. Hannah Malach, WWD, 6 Sep. 2024 Rihanna stepped out in head-to-toe leopard in April, while Heidi Klum took to Instagram with her own take on the trend with a matching bikini, mini dress, and button down. Megan Schaltegger, Peoplemag, 4 Sep. 2024 Dress in a green bikini from Billabong, then grab some La Croix and my raft. R29 Team, refinery29.com, 2 Sep. 2024 One part of me enjoys sharing the highlights of my life and career, as well as posting the occasional bikini photo for a quick burst of validation. Olivia Petter, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for bikini 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bikini.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 12 Sep. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!