cos·tume
ˈkä-ˌstüm 
-ˌstyüm,
also -stəm,
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm
1
: the prevailing fashion in coiffure, jewelry, and apparel of a period, country, or class
2
: an outfit worn to create the appearance characteristic of a particular period, person, place, or thing
Halloween costumes
3
: a person's ensemble of outer garments
especially
: a woman's ensemble of dress with coat or jacket
costumey
adjective
cos·tume
kä-ˈstüm
-ˈstyüm,
also käs-ˈchüm;
or ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm,
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm
or
-stəm
costumed; costuming
1
: characterized by the use of costumes
a costume ball
a costume drama
2
: suitable for or enhancing the effect of a particular costume
a costume handbag
Examples of costume in a Sentence
Noun
children in their Halloween costumes
a formal 18th-century Japanese costume
Verb
the days when people, costumed in their Sunday best, would parade along the grand avenue on Easter
Adjective
You're invited to a costume party!
Recent Examples on the Web
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 June 2025
Every cobbled lane was blocked by revelers crowded outside the bars, all wearing white-and-red fiesta costumes.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
Miles Socha, Footwear News, 2 July 2025
Producers provide guidance on costuming for early auditions, and later provide outfits
During the early auditions, producers provide wardrobe guidance for contestants.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 24 June 2025
Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 17 June 2025
He was raised by two theater majors — his mother's focus was costume design while his dad, Alan Barinholtz, studied acting and later went on to star as the judge in the 2023 reality show, Jury Duty.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
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Noun
Unfolding against the backdrop of SCAD’s campus in the hilltop village of Lacoste in the Luberon Valley, honorees included actor Toby Jones, director Stephen Frears, screenwriter Christopher Hampton and James Bond and Harry Potter costume designer Jany Temime.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 June 2025
Every cobbled lane was blocked by revelers crowded outside the bars, all wearing white-and-red fiesta costumes.
—Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, the founding designer continues to dedicate himself to costume design for top theater and opera companies across Europe, in addition to designing the Desigual x M. Christian Lacroix line.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 2 July 2025
Producers provide guidance on costuming for early auditions, and later provide outfits
During the early auditions, producers provide wardrobe guidance for contestants.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
Top stylists and costume designers will discuss their creative processes, and the importance of authenticity, in addition to how distinct wardrobe choices over the years have brought our stories to life on screen.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 17 June 2025
He was raised by two theater majors — his mother's focus was costume design while his dad, Alan Barinholtz, studied acting and later went on to star as the judge in the 2023 reality show, Jury Duty.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
costume
1 of 2 noun
cos·tume
ˈkäs-ˌt(y)üm
1
: the style of clothing, ornaments, and hair characteristic of a certain period, region, or class
ancient Roman costume
peasant costume
2
: special or fancy dress (as for wear on the stage or at a masquerade party)
3
: a person's outer clothing
costume
adjective
costume
2 of 2 verb
costumed; costuming
: to provide with a costume
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