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

By the late 18th-century (aka the Wuthering Heights era), wide panniers—side hoops extending from the hips to dramatically spread out a skirt—had fallen out of fashion everywhere but the court, per FIT’s Fashion History Timeline. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 14 Feb. 2026

The New South Wales transport authority describes motorbikes in this class as being either two-wheelers or trikes that are built to take a beating, typically featuring utilitarian add-ons like a pannier rack. —New Atlas, 27 Jan. 2026

Meanwhile at Dior, Jonathan Anderson put panniers back on the map with his beribboned dresses. —Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 3 Jan. 2026

Though details on the ceremony were still mostly under wraps, Este certainly got the dress of her dreams; the Vogue story gives a glimpse at the gown, which features a jacket with lace details, a high neck and puff sleeves, buttoned over a sharp sweetheart-neckline gown with voluminous panniers. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 1 Jan. 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