nipple

noun

nip·​ple ˈni-pəl 

1

: the protuberance of a mammary gland upon which in the female the lactiferous ducts open and from which milk is drawn

2

a

: an artificial teat through which a bottle-fed infant nurses

b

: a device with an orifice through which the discharge of a liquid can be regulated

3

a

: a protuberance resembling or suggesting the nipple of a breast

b

: a small projection through which oil or grease is injected into machinery

4

: a pipe coupling consisting of a short piece of threaded tubing

nippled

ˈni-pəld 

adjective

Examples of nipple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After more talk of intimate moments that occurred during the shoot, and a few anecdotes about nipples, Shaver then redirected the conversation, lighting things up in her characteristic way. —Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 16 June 2026

In her 2023 book, Dear Future Mama, Trainor detailed her rocky pregnancy, which included blood clots, blistering nipples and a gestational diabetes diagnosis. —Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026

The most common symptom of male breast cancer is a hard, painless lump located directly behind or near the nipple, according to experts. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026

Indeed, signs of breast cancer, for men or women, include a lump in breast tissue, abnormality in the shape of a breast, discharge from the nipple and crusting — all of which should spark the same level of urgency regardless of gender, doctors said. —David K. Li, NBC news, 11 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

earlier neble, nible, probably diminutive of neb, nib

First Known Use

circa 1510, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nipple

• cripple
• ripple
• stipple
• tipple
• triple
• participle

Kids Definition

nipple

noun

nip·​ple ˈnip-əl 

1

: the small protruding part of the gland that in females produces milk and from which a baby or young mammal sucks milk

2

: something resembling a nipple

especially : the mouthpiece of a bottle from which an infant feeds

Medical Definition

nipple

noun

nip·​ple ˈnip-əl 

1

: the protuberance of a mammary gland upon which in the female the lactiferous ducts open and from which milk is drawn

2

a

: an artificial teat through which a bottle-fed infant nurses

b

: a device with an orifice through which the discharge of a liquid can be regulated