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nipple

noun

nip·​ple ˈni-pəl How to pronounce nipple (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of nipple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yes, many of his looks were wacky and tacky, like cocktail dresses that were tucked into underwear to reveal models’ butts, or nipple-baring too-tight tank tops with ab-revealing low-slung sleeve holes. Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025 The Atlantic roils under the graying sky, the breeze turning everyone’s nipples to glass. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 27 Nov. 2025 The most daring image featured a woman who was topless, except for a pair of suspenders that lay across her nipples. Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025 In some cases, backless bras take the form of sticky bras, boob tape, and nipple covers for fully open backs; U-plunge styles for deep fronts; low-back strapless bras for gowns that dip; and convertible options that can be reconfigured depending on the cut. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 26 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nipple

Word History

Etymology

earlier neble, nible, probably diminutive of neb, nib

First Known Use

circa 1510, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nipple was circa 1510

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nipple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nipple. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

nipple

noun
nip·​ple ˈnip-əl How to pronounce nipple (audio)
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 How to pronounce nipple (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on nipple

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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