areola

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

|Updated on: 1 Aug 2018

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

See areola defined for kids

Recent Examples of areola from the Web

In the study, published this week in Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology, University of Queensland researchers measured the nipple size—including the areola—of 63 consenting undergrads between ages 18 and 33.

— sarah klein, Health.com, "Scientists Went Around Measuring a Bunch of Nipples—and Found Something Surprising," 27 June 2018
Images capture blood, vulvas, placenta, areola, crowning shots, and inaugural breastfeeding.

— allison yarrow, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Childbirth Photos Instagram Didn't Want You to See," 11 May 2018
Hairy: Stray, dark hairs growing out of the areola area are normal.

— hannah orenstein, Seventeen, "There Are 8 Types of Nipples in the World," 10 Jan. 2018
Crouching at forty feet tall, her firm breasts and large white areolas stand at attention.

— Longreads, "Kara Walker’s Subtlety," 28 Feb. 2018
To do this, wash your hands, cup your breast with one hand and form a C-shape around your areola with your thumb and pointer finger.

— korin miller, SELF, "Chelsea Peretti Brought Her Breast Pump to the SAG Awards Because You Gotta Do What You Gotta Do," 23 Jan. 2018
Flat: The entire nipple is flat and blends into the areola.

— hannah orenstein, Seventeen, "There Are 8 Types of Nipples in the World," 10 Jan. 2018
Not only is there a cup size increase, areolas tend to darken and get significantly larger.

— mehera bonner, Marie Claire, "Chrissy Teigen, Pregnancy Hero, Says "My Nipples Are All Sorts of Weird"," 14 Jan. 2016
Known as the linea nigra, hormones could trigger this skin change, which may accompany darkening of the areolas super early in your pregnancy.

— elizabeth narins, Cosmopolitan, "14 Subtle Signs You're Pregnant Right Now," 12 Oct. 2015

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

in the meaning defined above

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

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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areolar

areolate

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