1. a stiff petticoat or underskirt made with hoops of whalebone, steel, or other material to make a dress stand out
Usage: historical fashion
2. a stiff fabric made of horsehair and cotton or linen thread, used for stiffening garments
Usage: textiles

Examples

• The Victorian lady’s dress was supported by a wide crinoline underneath.
• She struggled to fit through the doorway while wearing her crinoline.
• The museum displayed several crinolines from the 1850s.
• The costume designer used crinoline fabric to stiffen the collar.
• Fashion historians study the evolution of the crinoline in 19th-century dress.
• The actress had difficulty sitting down in her period costume with its large crinoline.