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 nipple bras went viral and flew off the virtual shelves. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024

Doctors had to remove her nipples, pull in her skin and then sew around the nipples again. —Marissa Evans, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024

Coolest Product: The Honest Company's Calm Your Nip Balm helps comfort and heal chapped or sore nipples in the early days of breastfeeding and pumping. —Deanna Pai, Allure, 13 Apr. 2024

The creamy texture melts with body heat and does an incredible job of soothing and healing the raw and sore skin on and around my nipples. —Ashleigh Morley, Parents, 11 Apr. 2024

Let the tongue-like flicks of the soft silicone tip take you on a stroll through the moistest of plant beds, awakening all of your erogenous zones — nipples included. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 31 Mar. 2024

Abnormal nipple discharge may be the result of conditions like intraductal papilloma or duct ectasia. —Ashley Abramson, Health, 24 Mar. 2024

Her nipples would be like erasers on her chest, her shoulders pulled back like a gymnast’s. —Addie Citchens, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024

There’s a painting in our house that someone gave my dad of a woman with her boobs out and a fish trying to nibble her nipple. —Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 30 Jan. 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