area

noun

ar·​ea ˈer-ē-ə 

ˈā-rē-ə

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

Synonyms

• zone
• region
• corner

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 on the Web

To give a wider perspective, Texas has the worst flood heritage in the U.S., if this is defined in terms of discharge per rainfall area. —Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

What Readers Loved The top 25 islands this year span a huge area: The northernmost winner is Bermuda (No. 10), located in the North Atlantic, while the southernmost include the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba (No. 11), Bonaire (No. 17), and Curaçao (No. 8), all just about 50 miles from Venezuela. —Hannah Walhout, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025

Edward Burke on Tuesday was released early to spend the rest of his sentence in the Chicago area, according to federal officials. —Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025

In addition to the bedrooms, the home features a small but charming kitchen with modern cabinets and spacious countertops, as well as a dining area that accommodates a small table. —Katrina Cossey, Parents, 8 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing area

• area code
• area of expertise
• association area
• Broca's area
• catchment area
• conservation area
• disaster area
• equal-area
• fringe area
• gray area
• growth area
• in the area of
• local area network
• no-go area
• reception area
• rest area
• sensory area
• service area
• staging area
• sterling area
• sub-area
• surface area
• Wernicke's area
• wide area network
• wilderness area

Rhymes for area

• aquaria
• gregaria
• herbaria
• hysteria
• malaria
• puparia
• rancheria
• araucaria
• arenaria
• honoraria
• mercenaria
• ceria

Kids Definition

area

noun

ar·​ea ˈar-ē-ə 

ˈer-

1

: a particular piece of ground or extent of space often set aside for special use

a picnic area

a waiting area

2

: the surface inside a figure or shape

especially : the number of unit squares equal to the amount of space the surface covers

a circle with an area of 500 square meters

3

: region sense 2a

a farming area

4

: a field of activity or study

5

: a part of the brain having a particular function (as vision or hearing)

Etymology

from Latin "open space, threshing floor" — related to aerie

Medical Definition

area

noun

ar·​ea ˈar-ē-ə, ˈer- 

: a part of the cerebral cortex having a particular function see association area, motor area, sensory area