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

Pregnant dogs may also gain weight or grow a belly, and may show changes in the appearance of their nipples. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

For her surgery, it was planned to take her from an H cup to a D cup and do a nipple lift to reshape her breasts. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 17 June 2025

Then there’s the reverse extreme: nipple reduction — long, protruding, often sagging nipples that are the consequence of breastfeeding. —Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025

Black lace and soft jersey lingerie sets, boxer shorts with Closed’s signature X pockets, a soft ecru T-shirt and denim-inspired nipple patches round out the collaboration. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 12 June 2025

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
• schizotypal

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