pannier
PAN-yer
/ˈpænjər/
A bag or basket fitted in pairs over the rear or front wheel rack of a bicycle or motorcycle.
Specifically refers to rack-mounted transit bags that keep heavy cargo off the rider's back.
The story behind the word. Originating from Latin 'panarium'—a woven basket specifically designed to carry loaves of bread. Old French adopted it as 'panier' to describe side baskets slung across pack animals, and late 19th-century cyclists adopted the term for rack-mounted luggage.
Word relationships
- saddlebag: Saddlebag can refer to horse gear or small under-seat cycle pouches, whereas panniers are larger rack-mounted luggage bags.
Commonly confused with
- panier: Panier (French spelling) often refers to historical hoop skirts worn in 18th-century fashion.
Collocations
- waterproof pannier
- rear pannier
- pannier rack
- attach panniers
Example sentences
- "She packed her laptop and extra clothes into waterproof panniers for the daily commute." Bike Touring Guide
- "Dual panniers help keep weight balanced on long-distance cycle trips." Adventure Cycling
Memory hook
Put your PAN (bread) and cargo into side PANNIERS! Rack-mounted side bag.
When not to use
Do not use for body-worn bags like backpacks, messenger bags, or purses.
Fun facts
- 18th-century women's ballgowns featured wide side hoops called 'panniers' because they stuck out sideways like donkey cargo baskets!
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