areola

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noun are·o·la \ ə-ˈrē-ə-lə ; ˌer-ē-ˈō- , ˌa-rē- \

Definition of areola

plural areolae play \-ˌlē\ or areolas

:a small area between things or about something; especially :a colored ring (as about the nipple, a vesicle, or a pustule)

—

areolar

play \-lər\ adjective

—

areolate

play \-lət\ adjective

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Recent Examples of areola from the Web

Anchor incisions are made around the areola, then vertically down the breast and horizontally along where breast and chest meet.

— lily herman, Allure, "Amber Rose Says She Wants Breast Reduction Surgery — Here's What That Means," 1 Aug. 2017
Moreover, local obscenity laws rarely include the whole breast, just the nipple and surrounding areola.

— courtland milloy, Washington Post, "Topless bans aim to protect, but some question who needs protecting," 20 June 2017
That meant saving the nipples and areolas for reconstruction—a now relatively common practice—would be too risky.

— jessica firger, Newsweek, "Tattooists Help Breast Cancer Survivors Transform Scars Into Art," 19 Mar. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of areola

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1664

See Words from the same year

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Medical Dictionary

areola

play

noun are·o·la \ ə-ˈrē-ə-lə \

medical Definition of areola

plural areolae play \-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

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areola

Definition of areola

areolar

areolate

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Origin and Etymology of areola

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areola

medical Definition of areola

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areola

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areolar

areolate

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