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

Her black, white and red chaps and matching jacket, paired with her red and white striped bikini top, strikingly matched Aguilera's iconic outfit. —Chiara Kim, People.com, 1 Nov. 2024

Her provocative stage presence in a dazzling series of Paris by Night videos, her tight-fitting body suits and bikini tops, her bravado and sultry voice made the older generation gasp. —Anh Do, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024

Pre-baby, the star was often seen perusing on an island in a bikini with her stunning figure. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 21 Oct. 2024

Areas with thinner skin or more nerve endings, like the upper lip and bikini line, are more sensitive than others, like the legs and back. —Iman Balagam, Vogue, 22 Oct. 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