pannier

noun

pan·​nier ˈpan-yər 

ˈpa-nē-ər

variants or less commonly panier

1

: a large container: such as

a

: a basket often carried on the back of an animal or the shoulders of a person

b

: one of a pair of packs or baskets hung over the rear wheel of a vehicle (such as a bicycle)

2

a

: one of a pair of hoops formerly used to expand women's skirts at the sides

b

: an overskirt draped at the sides of a skirt for an effect of fullness

Illustration of pannier

• pannier 2b

Examples of pannier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Put the newspaper dresses and Marie Antoinette–style pannier skirts back in the closet. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

For the current collection, creative director Anthony Vaccarello presented a floor-length black lace dress with a pannier skirt insert. — Kelly Niesen, Glamour, 24 July 2026

Earlier this week, Swift also opted for a floral Erdem mini-dress with a pannier-like skirt for the Toy Story 5 premiere. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 12 June 2026

Li also shredded the silk threads on a pannier skirt to mimic the texture of tofu. — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 19 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English panier, from Anglo-French paner, panier, from Latin panarium, from panis bread — more at food

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pannier

noun

pan·​nier ˈpan-yər 

ˈpan-ē-ər

: a large basket

especially : one carried on the back of an animal or the shoulder of a person

Medical Definition

pannier

noun

pan·​nier ˈpan-yər, ˈpan-ē-ər 

: a covered basket holding surgical instruments and medicines for a military ambulance