armpit

noun

arm·​pit ˈärm-ˌpit 

1

: the hollow beneath the junction of the arm and shoulder

2

: the least desirable place : pit

… 77th Street Station … was the armpit of detective duty.

—Joseph Wambaugh

Examples of armpit in a Sentence

a city described as the armpit of America

Recent Examples on the Web

When removing a tumor from a patient’s breast, surgeons sometimes make an incision in the armpit and take a small amount of lymph node tissue to see if the cancer has spread there. — Allessandra Dicorato, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026

Cleveland Clinic says the most effective prevention is a consistent and thorough bathing routine with regular showers and antibacterial soap focused on areas where apocrine glands sit, like the groin and armpits. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026

Cleveland Clinic recommends regular showers that focus on areas with apocrine glands, like the groin and armpits, plus an antibacterial soap to kill odor-causing bacteria. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026

These microbial cells inhabit nearly every part of the body, from armpits to feet, with the mouth and gut hosting the biggest concentrations. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for armpit

• acquit
• admit
• backlit
• befit
• cockpit
• commit
• dalit
• dendrite
• emit
• illite
• misfit
• moonlit

Kids Definition

armpit

noun

arm·​pit ˈärm-ˌpit 

: the hollow beneath the spot where the arm and shoulder join

Medical Definition

armpit

noun

arm·​pit ˈärm-ˌpit 

: the hollow beneath the junction of the arm and shoulder : axilla