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

Big Agnes was an early adopter among the mainstream brands, designing tents with shorter pole lengths to fit between drop handlebars or in panniers. —Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 25 May 2025

Items such as groceries can be carried in two side compartments, on an integrated rack, or in panniers attached to that rack. —New Atlas, 21 May 2025

The bike can also be customized with a host of accessories like hard panniers and a racing exhaust for 11 more horsepower. —New Atlas, 14 Feb. 2025

Despite the gunky roads (and panniers filled with groceries), the aluminum-frame bike performed great, and the hydraulic disc brakes provided plenty of stopping power in wet conditions. —Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2025

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