From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcostumecos‧tume /ˈkɒstjʊm $ ˈkɑːstuːm/ ●●○ noun 1 [countable]DCCLOTHES a set of clothes worn by an actor or by someone to make them look like something such as an animal, famous person etc → outfit the film’s lavish costumes and spectacular sets Hallowe'en costumes2 [countable, uncountable]DCCLOTHES clothes that are typical of a particular place or period of time in the past The dancers were in national costume. performers dressed in period costume (=the clothes of a period of history)3 [countable] British EnglishDCDSS a swimming costume
Examples from the Corpus
costume• Displayed are costumes dating back to the silent era but not beyond the 1960s.• How handsome he looked in his d'Artagnan costume.• With only twenty minutes to work with, there was no time for costume changes or extra entrances and exits.• Nothing could be further from costume drama or the spreading of cloaks over puddles.• Even so, its vibrant rhythms and gorgeous costumes make it Mr Chen's most accessible film so far.• a Halloween costume• Overseeing the project was Anne Wallwork, a television-trained period costume cutter specifically hired by Laura for the project.• I didn't like the play much but the costumes were amazing.• Written 100 years ago it is performed here in the costumes of that period.• The rest of the costumes do look a trifle ... stale.• All the guests attended the party in Victorian costume.• My daughter wore a witch costume in the Halloween parade.period costume• Plus a Battlefield model and period costume dolls.• The exhibits are surrounded by period costumes and photographs, and the show is to last until January.• Staff dressed in period costume, and a photographic display recording the Branch's history was unveiled in the banking hall.• Everyone in period costume - meet the Gentry; servants; soldiers; craftsmen.• All performers in period costume with period music.• Overseeing the project was Anne Wallwork, a television-trained period costume cutter specifically hired by Laura for the project.Origin costume (1700-1800) French Italian, “custom, dress”, from Latin consuetudo; → CUSTOM1 