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

This matters because nipples, pacifiers, pump valves, and similar accessories come into direct contact with an infant’s mouth or expressed milk. — New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026

TargetWash™ directs precise water flows into the hard-to-reach areas of small feeding accessories, helping flush away residue from nipples, valves, straws, tubes, and similar components. — Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

Cakes Body has become a $100 million business selling nipple covers and boob tape. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

The Skims founder freed the nipple while wearing nothing but silver chains and nude underwear in one photo. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 7 Sep. 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