loincloth

[ loin-klawth, -kloth ]

noun

, plural loin·cloths [loin, -klaw, th, z, -klo, th, z, -klawths, -kloths].

1. a piece of cloth worn around the loins or hips, especially in tropical regions as the only item of clothing.

loincloth

/ ˈlɔɪnˌklɒθ /

noun

1. a piece of cloth worn round the loins Also calledbreechcloth

Word History and Origins

Origin of loincloth¹

First recorded in 1855–60; loin + cloth

Example Sentences

Instead many are wearing "happi coats" - long, purple robes - and white shorts, as opposed to the men's loincloths, while carrying their own bamboo offerings.

From BBC

The earliest form of underwear was a loincloth.

From National Geographic

Swapping his mawashi - the traditional loincloth sumo wrestlers wear - for shoulder pads and a helmet, the 21-year-old has quickly adjusted to life in the foothills of Fort Collins, about an hour’s drive north of Denver.

From Washington Times

Swapping his mawashi — the traditional loincloth sumo wrestlers wear — for shoulder pads and a helmet, the 21-year-old has quickly adjusted to life in the foothills of Fort Collins, about an hour’s drive north of Denver.

From Seattle Times

Uozumi then rose to his feet, dusted himself off and rejoined the surrounding group of wrestlers wearing loincloths.

From Reuters