areola

noun

are·​o·​la ə-ˈrē-ə-lə  ˌer-ē-ˈō- 

ˌa-rē-

plural areolae ə-ˈrē-ə-ˌlē 

ˌer-ē-ˈō-ˌlē,

ˌa-rē-

or areolas

: a small area between things or about something

especially : a colored ring (as about the nipple, a vesicle, or a pustule)

areolar

ə-ˈrē-ə-lər 

adjective

areolate

ə-ˈrē-ə-lət 

adjective

Examples of areola in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, note that your nipples and areola may look completely normal. —Donna Murray, Rn, Parents, 3 July 2024

Always a provocateur, Doja opted to expose a sliver of each areola. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2024

Previously, such content was only monetizable if no areola was visible. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023

Also, breastfeeding thumbnails with focus on breasts without visible areola can now earn ad revenue. —Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 17 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, small open space, diminutive of area

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

areola

noun

are·​o·​la ə-ˈrē-ə-lə 

plural areolae -ˌlē  or areolas

: a colored ring (as about the nipple)

areolar

-lər 

adjective

Medical Definition

areola

noun

are·​o·​la ə-ˈrē-ə-lə 

plural areolae -ˌlē  or areolas

: a small area between things or about something: as

a

: the colored ring around the nipple or around a vesicle or pustule

b

: the portion of the iris that borders the pupil of the eye