nipple

American  

[nip-uhl] / ˈnɪp əl /

noun

1. a protuberance of the mamma or breast where, in the female, the milk ducts discharge; teat.

2. something resembling it, as the mouthpiece of a nursing bottle or pacifier.

3. a short piece of pipe with threads on each end, used for joining valves.

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nipple British  

/ ˈnɪpəl /

noun

1. Also called: mamilla.   papilla.   teat.  the small conical projection in the centre of the areola of each breast, which in women contains the outlet of the milk ducts

2. something resembling a nipple in shape or function

3. Also called: grease nipple.  a small drilled bush, usually screwed into a bearing, through which grease is introduced

4. an informal word for dummy

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nipple Scientific  

/ nĭp′əl /

1. A small projection near the center of the mammary gland. In females, the nipple contains the outlets of the milk ducts.

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Usage

What is a nipple? A nipple is the part of the breast that sticks out at the center of the areola in mammals, as in Dogs have different numbers of nipples depending on size and breed. Nipple can also refer to something that resembles this body part, such as the end of a baby’s bottle or pacifier, as in Joe carefully put the nipple back on the baby’s bottle after filling it with milk. Example: The department store purchased a dozen mannequins that did not have nipples on their breasts.

Other Word Forms

• nippleless adjective

Etymology

Origin of nipple

1520–30; earlier neble, nib ( b ) le, nepil; perhaps akin to nib; compare Danish nip point; -le

Example Sentences

I have nothing against “free the nipple” but why impose this on others in a professional environment?

From New York Times

There’s one made out of concrete, and another in silicon that looks like it’s covered in nipples.

From New York Times

Facebook and Instagram’s longstanding rules — and previous bans — have spurred the use of a #FreetheNipple movement on Instagram, which is used by many artists and celebrities to portray nipples despite the rules.

From Seattle Times

Instagram's owner Facebook has reversed a ban on a poster for Spanish director Pedro Almodovar's new film, showing a nipple producing a drop of milk.

From BBC

Facebook and Instagram’s longstanding rules — and previous bans — have spurred the use of the #FreetheNipple movement and hashtag on Instagram, which is used by many artists and celebrities to portray nipples despite the rules.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• bosom
• chest