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
Phyllis Furman… ultra low-rise jeans with a built-in bikini or thong.—Sunday Tribune (South Africa)
—often used before another nounSunday Tribune (South Africa)Bikini briefs are usually lower than the true waist, often at the hips.—Clifford Pugh
Clifford PughExamples of bikini in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bieber also shared some behind-the-scenes photos from her latest getaway, including kneeling on the ground while wearing a sunny yellow bikini set.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
Spanxshape Swim styles will feature halter bikini tops, scoop-neck bikini tops, hi-rise bikini bottoms, hi-rise cheeky bikini bottoms, ultra hi-rise bikini bottoms, hi-rise bikini skirts, bandeau one-pieces and cutout one-pieces.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Haack shared images with Larocca, wearing a white bikini and a purple Hawaiian lei.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Jensen said this was not the first time police have taken enforcement action against a bikini café in Garden Grove and added that similar businesses are believed to be operating elsewhere in the city.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bikini
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Lara Walsh, InStyle, 15 Feb. 2026
Spanxshape Swim styles will feature halter bikini tops, scoop-neck bikini tops, hi-rise bikini bottoms, hi-rise cheeky bikini bottoms, ultra hi-rise bikini bottoms, hi-rise bikini skirts, bandeau one-pieces and cutout one-pieces.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026
Haack shared images with Larocca, wearing a white bikini and a purple Hawaiian lei.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Jensen said this was not the first time police have taken enforcement action against a bikini café in Garden Grove and added that similar businesses are believed to be operating elsewhere in the city.
—Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bikini
Cite this Entry
“Bikini.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bikini. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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.
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