pannier

noun

pan·​nier ˈpan-yər How to pronounce pannier (audio)
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

Illustration of pannier
  • pannier 2b

Examples of pannier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Mac begins the evening in fifties-hostess splendor: a wig of rose-colored tulle, pink cigarette pants, and a dress with panniers à la polonaise. Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2024 If all that sounds like too much exertion, plan a picnic and have a pony trot it up the hillside for you in sweet woven panniers courtesy of The Fife Arms, which is also one of the area’s most charming places to stay. Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2024 When not in use, the kickstand neatly tucks under the rear panniers. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 25 Sep. 2023 The extend rear rack with two cargo panniers attached. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 25 Sep. 2023 The panniers fit on racks up to 16 millimeters in diameter, and also have adapters for narrower rails. Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2024 Where the back-roller panniers truly excel is their mounting hardware — Ortlieb’s QL2.1 system. Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2023 These Ortlieb panniers will take some weight off your back and put it on your bike. Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 30 Aug. 2023 Securing the panniers to your bike is as straightforward as grabbing the handles to open the lower latches and fastening the adjustable hooks to the rack, then letting go of the handle to lock it in place. Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pannier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pannier was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near pannier

Cite this Entry

“Pannier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pannier. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pannier

noun
pan·​nier ˈpan-yər How to pronounce pannier (audio)
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
: a covered basket holding surgical instruments and medicines for a military ambulance
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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