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

Kylie Jenner’s nipple-exposing Schiaparelli was half-nude, rubbery bodysuit, half giant ballgown. —Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2026

Not to be outdone by her younger half sister, Kim Kardashian arrived wearing a custom fibreglass breastplate designed by the British artist Allen Jones, with even bigger faux nipples on display. —Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 5 May 2026

Fabric nipple pasties are typically disposable, since they can’t be washed. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

The doctor found a lump under one of Dolly’s nipples. —Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 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