areola

American  

[uh-ree-uh-luh] / əˈri ə lə /

noun

Biology.

plural

areolae, areolas

1. a ring of color, as around the human nipple.

2. a small interstice, as between the fibers of connective tissue.

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areola British  

/ əˈrɪələ, əˌrɪəˈleɪʃən, -ˌleɪt, əˈrɪəlɪt /

noun

1. anatomy any small circular area, such as the pigmented ring around the human nipple or the inflamed area surrounding a pimple

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Other Word Forms

• areolar
  adjective
• areolate
  adjective
• areolated
  adjective
• areolation
  noun
• multiareolate
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of areola

1655–65; < Latin, equivalent to āre ( a ) area + -ola -ole ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Leeds also missed first in the penalty shootout as 20-year-old reserve goalkeeper Finlay Herrick replaced the injured Alphonse Areola for his West Ham debut and blocked Joel Piroe's spot-kick.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

The penalty was awarded after a VAR check and Gibbs-White dusted himself down to drill the spot-kick past Areola, pushing the crest-fallen Nuno to the brink.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

In a bid to punch clear, Areola came off his line and thumped into Gibbs-White's head with his out-stretched arm.

From Barron's • Jan. 6, 2026

Jean-Philippe Mateta copied Delap's role and 'stood on' goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, acting as a blocker.

From BBC • Sep. 22, 2025

It was an affair of the bridge of Areola.'

From Tancred Or, The New Crusade by Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield