A topknot is a hairstyle where hair is gathered up and tied or twisted into a bun or knot on the top of the head. Think of how a ballerina might pull her hair into a neat bun at the crown of her head, or how someone might quickly twist their long hair up and secure it with a hair tie when they're getting ready to exercise.

The style gets its name from its location: the top of the head, tied in a knot. Topknots can be sleek and formal or casual and messy, depending on how carefully they're arranged. In some cultures, topknots have been traditional hairstyles for centuries. Japanese samurai warriors, for example, wore distinctive topknots as part of their appearance.

The word can also refer to a tuft of feathers or hair that grows naturally on top of an animal's head. Some birds have decorative topknots of feathers that stick straight up, like the crest on a cockatiel. Certain dog breeds also have fluffy topknots that make them look distinguished or playful.