nipple

noun

nip·​ple ˈni-pəl 

1

: the protuberance of a mammary gland upon which in the female the lactiferous ducts open and from which milk is drawn

2

a

: an artificial teat through which a bottle-fed infant nurses

b

: a device with an orifice through which the discharge of a liquid can be regulated

3

a

: a protuberance resembling or suggesting the nipple of a breast

b

: a small projection through which oil or grease is injected into machinery

4

: a pipe coupling consisting of a short piece of threaded tubing

nippled

ˈni-pəld 

adjective

Examples of nipple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For her first major carpet appearance since 2023, Hadid wore a nude Saint Laurent halter-neck gown that revealed her nipples. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 20 May 2024

The 5-ounce version comes with slow-flow nipples while the 8-ounce features medium-flow nipples. —Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 16 May 2024

And failure to secure the right shapewear for the job can result in unintended slips, like Heidi Klum’s partially visible nipple at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. —Paul Schrodt, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024

The milk didn’t come through a nipple, the researchers found, but from within the amphibian’s cloaca in a case of convergent evolution. —Riley Black, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2024

The angled breast shield has a soft, textured cushion to make a secure fit and stimulate the nipple for feeding. —Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 8 May 2024

As the wrestling progressed from EWA’s table-breaking antics to the nipple tweaking of Choke Hole, fans oohed or trash-talked, awash in innuendo. —Melena Ryzik, New York Times, 7 May 2024

The nipple bras went viral and flew off the virtual shelves. —Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024

Doctors had to remove her nipples, pull in her skin and then sew around the nipples again. —Marissa Evans, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

earlier neble, nible, probably diminutive of neb, nib

First Known Use

circa 1510, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nipple

noun

nip·​ple ˈnip-əl 

1

: the small protruding part of the gland that in females produces milk and from which a baby or young mammal sucks milk

2

: something resembling a nipple

especially : the mouthpiece of a bottle from which an infant feeds

Medical Definition

nipple

noun

nip·​ple ˈnip-əl 

1

: the protuberance of a mammary gland upon which in the female the lactiferous ducts open and from which milk is drawn

2

a

: an artificial teat through which a bottle-fed infant nurses

b

: a device with an orifice through which the discharge of a liquid can be regulated