noun

le panier

basket

Objet souvent tressé, avec une forme creuse, qui sert à porter ou ranger des choses.

Definition & meaning

The word panier refers primarily to a container made of interwoven materials such as wicker, straw, wood, or plastic, used for carrying or storing objects.

There are several specific contexts for this term:

General object: A basket used for shopping, laundry, or holding household items.
Shopping cart: In France, a panier (often called caddie) is the metal or plastic basket/cart used in supermarkets.
E-commerce: In digital contexts, it refers to the "shopping cart" or "basket" where a user accumulates items before purchasing.
Basketball: The hoop or net through which the ball must pass to score points in the sport of basketball.
Fashion/History: Historically, a panier was a framework made of cane or whalebone worn under a skirt in the 18th century to extend the hips laterally.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: It is a masculine noun (un panier, des paniers).
Word origin: The word comes from the Old French panier, derived from the Latin panarium, which means "bread basket" (from panis, meaning bread).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

Corbeille : Often used for decorative or smaller, open-top baskets.
Cabas : A large bag or basket used for carrying groceries.
Caddie : Specifically refers to a shopping cart.
Nacelle : Used for the basket of a hot air balloon.

Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms for a physical container, though in specific contexts, one might contrast it with a solid, rigid container or a non-interwoven storage solution like a coffre (chest/box).