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

Like Bozo putting on his circus getup, Yuskavage’s girls clock in at the studio, slapping on their socks, their panties, their outsized nipples. —Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 23 May 2026

The vibrant blue gown featured a statement nipple necklace and included coordinated gloves with avant-garde hand elements. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 May 2026

In Cannes, Lizzo stepped out for the 2026 amfAR gala in a royal blue ensemble featuring a corset with faux nipple piercings that attached to a diamond necklace. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026

The company has been cagey about deadlines in the past, and to keep dunnarts alive past birth, Pask’s team would still need to develop a synthetic pouch for the tiny animal — born smaller than a grain of rice — complete with synthetic nipples that get progressively larger as the baby grows. —Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 May 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

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