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.

---

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

---

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

A Facebook spokesperson said the site allowed images of post-mastectomy areola tattoos on a page or profile but not within advertising.

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2021

Receiving the areola tattoos after breast reconstruction surgery made Provenza feel complete again.

From Washington Times • Oct. 23, 2016

She numbs the area and applies the tattooed areola in one session.

From Washington Times • Oct. 23, 2016

In most cases, surgeons remove the nipple and areola as a safeguard as well.

From Washington Times • Feb. 29, 2016

The projecting elevation of the breast, which the child takes in his mouth when nursing, is called the nipple; the darker colored area surrounding the nipple is called the areola.

From Woman Her Sex and Love Life by Robinson, William J.