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

Lighter shades aren’t completely opaque, so nipple covers may help, but that didn’t stop me from wearing it on repeat. —Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 27 Feb. 2026

Other slides in the carousel showed bouquets of flowers, lacy pink bras on hangers, a model freeing the nipple in a sheer lace top and matching skirt, bras in multiple color ways, and another model lounging in a chocolate-brown bra and underwear set. —Christina Perrier, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026

The first two episodes of Heated Rivalry in particular are a feast of the male body — nipples, abs, hockey butts. —E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2026

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

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