bikini

noun

bi·​ki·​ni bə-ˈkē-nē 

plural bikinis

1

a

: a two-piece bathing suit worn by women that does not cover the midriff see also string bikini, tankini

b

: a short snug swimsuit worn by men

2

: a pair of low-cut briefs (see brief entry 2 sense 4)

Launched in May, the underwear brand for men and women includes bikinis, … G-strings and boxer briefs.

—Phyllis Furman

… ultra low-rise jeans with a built-in bikini or thong.

—Sunday Tribune (South Africa)

—often used before another noun

Bikini briefs are usually lower than the true waist, often at the hips.

—Clifford Pugh

bikinied adjective

or less commonly bikini'd

bə-ˈkē-nēd 

Examples of bikini in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another photo showed Manolo snapping a selfie as Vergara's sister Veronica laid back in a chair in a bikini. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

Catherine strips to just her bikini bottoms, expressing anxiety over her older, post-motherhood body (which is, for the record, a Hollywood-perfect body). —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024

In the photos, Biles is seen getting some sun in a striped bikini, toasting with cocktails along with husband Jonathan Owens, doing a little reading by the pool and capturing moments with a few friends. —Danielle Jennings, People.com, 11 Oct. 2024

Union also shared several stylish photos of her various looks from her travels, including bikinis in pink, blue and red, as well as a white, floral cropped matching set. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Bikini, atoll of the Marshall Islands

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bikini

• bikini wax
• string bikini

Kids Definition

bikini

noun

bi·​ki·​ni bə-ˈkē-nē 

: a scanty two-piece bathing suit for a girl or woman

Etymology

from French bikini "two-piece bathing suit," from Bikini, atoll in the Marshall Islands

Geographical Definition

Bikini

geographical name

Bi·​ki·​ni bi-ˈkē-nē 

island (atoll) of the Marshall Islands

Note: Bikini was the site of U.S. atomic bomb tests in 1946 and hydrogen bomb tests in 1954 and 1956.

Bikinian

bi-ˈkē-nē-ən 

noun