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

All Saints is also offering a $31 piercing special, plus the cost of the jewelry, for lobe, helix, conch, rook, tragus, flat, nostril, eyebrow, lip, Medusa, labret, Ashley, Monroe, tongue and nipple. —Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026

For extra insurance, Glasser and her team, makeup artists Malina Stearns and Chelsea Delfino, used Telesis glue, an extra-strong medical-grade prosthetic adhesive that can hold up against far heavier materials than nipple rings and a light-as-air chiffon dress. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 3 Feb. 2026

Can someone find Heather’s nipple cover? —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Feb. 2026

When authorities asked King to remove the breast banner as vulgar, King taped over the nipples with stars made of tape or Magic Marker. —Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier neble, nible, probably diminutive of neb, nib

First Known Use

circa 1510, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nipple

• cripple
• ripple
• stipple
• tipple
• triple
• participle
• schizotypal

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