nipple
Americannoun
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nipples
plural
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a protuberance of the mamma or breast where, in the female, the milk ducts discharge; teat.
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something resembling it, as the mouthpiece of a nursing bottle or pacifier.
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a short piece of pipe with threads on each end, used for joining valves.
noun
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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
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something resembling a nipple in shape or function
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Also called: grease nipple. a small drilled bush, usually screwed into a bearing, through which grease is introduced
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an informal word for dummy
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of nipple
1520–30; earlier neble, nib ( b ) le, nepil; perhaps akin to nib; compare Danish nip point; see -le
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Other symptoms may include a change in the shape or look of the nipple, such as it turning inwards or a rash on it.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
He tried to get rid of something that still makes me cringe: Conan’s nipple dance.
From Salon ● Jul. 5, 2026
Only one, located at 9 o’clock and close to the nipple, slightly concerned Margolies, even though it hadn’t changed in size or shape.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 4, 2026
He says that men should watch out for lumps, pain, discomfort or nipple inversion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2026
A cracked rubber nipple from a baby bottle.
From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez
Given that many mammal species have litters, many nipples were required to nurse rapidly growing beasts in a world still full of strange, often immense reptiles.
From Slate ● Aug. 13, 2024
Sore, cracked or bleeding nipples due to latching issues, and low or high milk supply are common problems.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2024
Mazakpwe cited a range of lactation issues mothers can face, from sore nipples to babies born too sick or too weak to suckle and stimulate milk production.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 1, 2024
Joker has always been more fun to watch than a flying bat with rubber nipples anyway.
From Salon ● Apr. 27, 2024
It was strange listening to everyone speak among a cacophony of barking, farting, whooping, shrieking, and chicken nipples.
From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
