area

noun ar·ea \ ˈer-ē-ə , ˈā-rē-ə \

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Definition of area

1 : the surface included within a set of lines; specifically : the number of unit squares equal in measure to the surface — see Metric System Table, Weights and Measures Table

2 : the scope of a concept, operation, or activity : field

the whole area of foreign policy

3 : areaway

4 : a particular extent of space or surface or one serving a special function: such as

a : a part of the surface of the body

b : a geographic region

5 : a level piece of ground

6 : a part of the cerebral cortex having a particular function

—

areal

play \-ē-əl\ adjective

—

areally

play \-ə-lē\ adverb

See area defined for English-language learners

See area defined for kids

Examples of area in a Sentence

Settlers came to this area from the east.
The group visited the area during a hunting trip.
in the area surrounding the lake
The storm caused damage in many areas along the coast.
a bird found only in remote areas of the U.S.
in many areas of the world
He is the metropolitan area's most popular politician.
He lived in an unfashionable area of the city.
She set aside a work area in the kitchen.
The dining area has extra windows.

Recent Examples of area from the Web

Those who live or vacation in the area were mourning the loss of popular tide-pools where kids enjoyed swimming.

— NBC News, "Hawaii volcano lava destroys hundreds of homes overnight," 6 June 2018
Police reported other vehicles in the area had been rummaged through, but nothing was thought to have been taken.

— bill kurtz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Unsecured guns stolen in Mequon," 5 June 2018
Checo participated in the program in 2015, and expanded his market to not only be a supplier of produce for neighborhood residents, but also a warehouse distributor for other bodegas in the area.

— zoe matthews, The Christian Science Monitor, "Bodega owners aim to make community healthier one fruit at a time," 5 June 2018
No injuries were reported in the area because it was evacuated.

— CBS News, "Hawaii volcano lava destroys more homes, including Big Island mayor's," 5 June 2018
Sierra Club spokesman Sean Wirth said Sandhill cranes, Swainson's hawks and migratory birds forage in that area.

— tony bizjak, sacbee, "Environmentalists sue to stop expansion near Highway 99," 5 June 2018
On May 17, police responded to two 911 calls, one reporting a man was suffering from a gunshot wound near Haverhill City Hall, and another reporting shots fired in the area of Freeman and Washington streets, prosecutors said.

— laney ruckstuhl, BostonGlobe.com, "Haverhill man ordered held without bail in drive-by murder," 4 June 2018
Viewing may be limited to public parks and causeways at night because many restaurants and even bars in the area that are usually open could be closed by liftoff time.

— paul brinkmann, OrlandoSentinel.com, "SpaceX SES 12 launch lights up the night," 4 June 2018
Water service was shut off Monday (June 4) in the Chateau Estates subdivision in Kenner after a water main in the area broke, according to Jefferson Parish officials.

— littice bacon-blood, NOLA.com, "Water main break causes water outage in Kenner's Chateau Estates," 4 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'area.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of area

Latin, open space, threshing floor; perhaps akin to Latin arēre to be dry — more at arid

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1552

in the meaning defined at sense 5

See Words from the same year

area Synonyms

Synonyms

arena, bailiwick, business, circle, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, field, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, terrain, walk;

Related Words

frontier;

study, subject;

territory, turf;

occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation;

ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confine, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width;

subfield, subspecialty;

Other Weights and Measures Terms

avoirdupois weight, calorie, denier, kip, pace, twain

AREA Defined for English Language Learners

area

noun

Definition of area for English Language Learners

: a part or section within a larger place
: a section of space within a building, room, etc.
: a part of the surface of something (such as a person's body or a piece of cloth)