tankini
noun
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The two-piece swimsuit we call the bikini made its debut on Paris runways in 1946. The word bikini comes from Bikini atoll, the name of one of the Marshall Islands in the western Pacific, where atomic-bomb tests were performed in 1946. One theory of the coinage is that the effect achieved by a scantily clad woman appearing in public may be compared to the effect of an A-bomb blast. Another possible explanation is that the bikini leaves its wearer nearly bare, the way the bomb tests stripped Bikini atoll. In 1985, the tankini began appearing on beaches in the U.S., and the word bikini was combined with tank to create its appropriate name.
Examples of tankini in a Sentence
Elaina Verhoff, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2025
This tankini top is figure-hugging but still provides that signature tankini tummy coverage and control.
—Jené Luciani Sena
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2025
Ten tops, 11 bottoms, two tankinis, one one-piece, one swim short, one swim skort, a towel and two playful pouches are featured.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 July 2025
The tankini top is available in 15 colors and patterns, offering a wide range of options to pair with your favorite swim bottoms.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for tankini
Cite this Entry
“Tankini.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tankini. Accessed 30 Aug. 2025.
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