bikini

noun

bi·​ki·​ni bə-ˈkē-nē 

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

bə-ˈkē-nēd 

Examples of bikini in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And yet, the women insist on glamour and dignity — one performer dons a beautiful, elaborate bikini and dances like the room is packed with adoring fans. —James Factora, Them., 12 Dec. 2025

Its pairs come in easy hipster and bikini cuts in plenty of approachable colors and prints, as well as leakproof undies that can make navigating a first period or heavier cycle more comfortable. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 12 Dec. 2025

Jewel's photo carousel also featured a pic of her in a navy blue bikini while standing on a dock in front of crystal-blue water. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

Female idols are generally not as overt about their sexuality on stage, so a huge hell yeah to Kwon Eun-bi, who embraced the fun by wearing bikini tops at Waterbomb. —Jae-Ha Kim, Rolling Stone, 8 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Bikini, atoll of the Marshall Islands

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bikini

• bikini wax
• string bikini

Rhymes for bikini

• acini
• aldine
• arsine
• carinii
• cosine
• delphine
• domine
• latine
• leucine
• ovine
• pennine
• porcine

Kids Definition

bikini

noun

bi·​ki·​ni bə-ˈkē-nē 

: 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 

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

bi-ˈkē-nē-ən 

noun