armpit

[ ahrm-pit ]

noun

1. the hollow under the arm at the shoulder; axilla.
2. Slang. the worst possible place or area:

   Their car has broken down, stranding them in the armpit of California until it can be fixed.

armpit

/ ˈɑːmˌpɪt /

noun

1. the small depression beneath the arm where it joins the shoulder Technical nameaxilla axillary
2. slang.
   an extremely unpleasant place

   the armpit of the Mediterranean

Word History and Origins

Origin of armpit¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; arm ¹ + pit ¹( def )

Example Sentences

The sleeves are close-fitting, and as a result my T-shirt base layers would occasionally bunch up in the armpits.

From Outside Online

In your armpits, bacteria turn an odorless molecule in our sweat into one that truly stinks.

From Science News For Students

You can tilt or rotate your head toward the opposite direction, or drop it diagonally as if looking at your armpit.

From Popular-Science

Only this is pre-LeBron Cleveland, a ceaselessly pewter-skyed city that provides the razzle of an armpit.

From FiveThirtyEight

Starting in March, these researchers collected sweat samples from the armpits of volunteers.

From Science News For Students

It will go down as the only movie ever, probably, that features Josh Brolin furiously licking your armpit.

From The Daily Beast

Or a select few can boost their grades by braiding their armpit hair and fighting the patriarchy.

From The Daily Beast

Nonna, who at full height came up to my armpit, brushed by me carrying an enormous pot of water.

From The Daily Beast

Bryant was famous for standing with his arms crossed, and a bullet had struck his armpit and pierced his chest.

From The Daily Beast

Dropping my head low, ostrich style, was more likely to lead to a closer sniff of an armpit than to a clearer view of a work.

From The Daily Beast

Newt tore open his coat and vest, and ran his hand under the left armpit, but he found there only an empty holster.

From Project Gutenberg

Barney's response was a swift movement of his right hand toward his left armpit.

From Project Gutenberg

Before his compact automatic was fairly out of its holster beneath his armpit, it was in Joe Ellison's hands.

From Project Gutenberg

He gave a sharp yelp of pain and surprise as he did so, whipped his hand in again, and under his armpit.

From Project Gutenberg

We put one piece, which was long enough to reach from his armpit to below his foot, on the outside of the leg.

From Project Gutenberg