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

• demesne
• field
• region
• zone

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

In another video posted online on February 28 in the same area, a man can be seen carrying a bag of flour over his shoulder after a barrage of gunfire is heard followed by injured people being lifted from the scene on blankets. —Katie Polglase, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024

Shirley’s Way currently operates electronic pull tab machines at 32 locations in the Louisville area and has plans to set up machines at five new locations soon, Mulrooney said. —The Courier-Journal, 9 Apr. 2024

In the Los Angeles-Long Beach metro area, a gallon of regular self-serve gasoline costs a few pennies less on average than in the rest of the state: $5.34. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2024

Multiple body parts have surfaced in the area since the first discovery. —James Powel, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024

Fort Worth is 400 miles from the Texas-Mexico border, but candidates say there are still day-to-day impacts on the area, including crime and the availability of fentanyl. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2024

China and Russia have grown notably closer in the critical area of security and military cooperation. —Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 9 Apr. 2024

But an expert for the plaintiffs said BNSF and its predecessors sponsored geologic reports in the area and knew as early as the 1920s that the vermiculite mined near Libby had asbestos. —Amy Beth Hanson, Fortune, 9 Apr. 2024

Essential to visit when in the Kaga area is the beautiful Natadera Temple complex. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

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

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