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.
In summer 2025, triangle bikinis are worn in the simplest way possible. Arancha Gamo, Glamour, 5 July 2025 Even better, they’re structured enough to pair with a casual white tee or tank for strolling around town in Nice or over a bikini at the beach. Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 3 July 2025 But the brand has also been experimenting with new styles, like a convertible bandeau bikini that can be worn four ways. Footwear News, 3 July 2025 Both videos show the pop star on the beach in a tiny, triangle zebra print bikini and a wide-brimmed hat. Clare Fisher, People.com, 1 July 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bikini.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bikini. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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!