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
Nancy Gibbs, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
One protester tends to come in a Spiderman costume.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
Rachel Fuller’s orchestral version of The Who album, recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, is the backdrop for this production, which is costumed by British fashion house Paul Smith.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Swift is a huge source of costume inspiration every year, but this year's looks are likely to be even more prolific in the wake of the engagement news.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
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Noun
Meanwhile warm-up demonstrations in Portland feature protestors in inflatable animal costumes—lots of frogs, along with unicorns, chickens, dinosaurs dancing in the streets, providing an alternative visual to the menace of masked enforcement agents.
—Nancy Gibbs, Time, 17 Oct. 2025
One protester tends to come in a Spiderman costume.
—Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
See Halloween costumes through the decades.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
Rachel Fuller’s orchestral version of The Who album, recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, is the backdrop for this production, which is costumed by British fashion house Paul Smith.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
With topics for designers, filmmakers, or fashion enthusiasts alike, this panel offers a lively look at how costume design enhances narrative, and continues to shape both cinema and everyday style.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
Swift is a huge source of costume inspiration every year, but this year's looks are likely to be even more prolific in the wake of the engagement news.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 4 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 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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