nipple

noun

nip·​ple ˈni-pəl 

1

: the protuberance of a mammary gland upon which in the female the lactiferous ducts open and from which milk is drawn

2

a

: an artificial teat through which a bottle-fed infant nurses

b

: a device with an orifice through which the discharge of a liquid can be regulated

3

a

: a protuberance resembling or suggesting the nipple of a breast

b

: a small projection through which oil or grease is injected into machinery

4

: a pipe coupling consisting of a short piece of threaded tubing

nippled

ˈni-pəld 

adjective

Examples of nipple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The flange doesn’t need to be screwed tight to the pipe nipples. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 30 Nov. 2024

Further along, Byström ups the ante, donning a clown nose, which prompts the AI to add yet another nipple—as if the red ball completes the second pair. —Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 27 Nov. 2024

Begin by standing in your birthday suit (aka shirtless) in front of a mirror to inspect for any abnormalities such as swelling, lumps, dimpling or nipple changes, both with arms at your sides and raised overhead. —Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024

Common signs and symptoms of breast cancer include a new lump or mass in the breast, breast or nipple pain, nipple retraction, nipple discharge, skin dimpling, swelling or redness around the breast as well as swollen lymph nodes under the arm. —Omer Awan, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

earlier neble, nible, probably diminutive of neb, nib

First Known Use

circa 1510, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nipple

noun

nip·​ple ˈnip-əl 

1

: the small protruding part of the gland that in females produces milk and from which a baby or young mammal sucks milk

2

: something resembling a nipple

especially : the mouthpiece of a bottle from which an infant feeds

Medical Definition

nipple

noun

nip·​ple ˈnip-əl 

1

: the protuberance of a mammary gland upon which in the female the lactiferous ducts open and from which milk is drawn

2

a

: an artificial teat through which a bottle-fed infant nurses

b

: a device with an orifice through which the discharge of a liquid can be regulated