1. plural of panier; large baskets or hampers, especially those carried by pack animals or used for storage
Usage: often historical or literary context
2. plural of panier; hooped or structured frameworks worn under skirts to create a wide silhouette, popular in 18th-century fashion
Usage: historical fashion term; also spelled panniers

Examples

• The merchant loaded supplies into large paniers for the caravan journey across the desert.
• Wealthy women of the 1700s wore elaborate paniers beneath their gowns to achieve the fashionable silhouette.
• The donkeys carried paniers filled with goods to the mountain village.
• Historical portraits show ladies in paniers that extended far out on either side of the hips.
• The baker used woven paniers to transport fresh bread to the market.