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

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

If the nipple and areola have been removed, the woman can decide whether she wants to get a tattoo to mimic the look, or she may seek something artistic to create a new appearance.

From Washington Times • Oct. 22, 2016

The areola of the fifth central lamina, because of its protected position, persists in adult turtles that are well past the age of regular growth.

From Natural History of the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata Agassiz by Legler, John M.