area

noun

ar·​ea ˈer-ē-ə 

ˈā-rē-ə

1

: the surface included within a set of lines

specifically : the number of unit squares equal in measure to the surface see Metric System Table, Weights and Measures Table

2

: the scope of a concept, operation, or activity : field

the whole area of foreign policy

3

: areaway

4

: a particular extent of space or surface or one serving a special function: such as

a

: a part of the surface of the body

b

: a geographic region

5

: a level piece of ground

6

: a part of the cerebral cortex having a particular function

Synonyms of area

• zone
• region
• corner

Examples of area in a Sentence

Settlers came to this area from the east.

The group visited the area during a hunting trip.

in the area surrounding the lake

The storm caused damage in many areas along the coast.

a bird found only in remote areas of the U.S.

in many areas of the world

He is the metropolitan area's most popular politician.

He lived in an unfashionable area of the city.

She set aside a work area in the kitchen.

The dining area has extra windows.

Recent Examples on the Web

The access comes after a federal judge earlier this week allowed clergy members from the Chicago area to minister to migrants in the facility during Holy Week and Easter. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026

Make no mistake, this is a touristy area of Kyoto. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026

Officers searched the area for Ebert and his 2001 Buick, which was found unoccupied with front-end damage in the 15000 block of Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville. —Adam Thompson, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

For the seventh year in a row, Walmart captured more money from Charlotte-area shoppers than any other grocery store, despite intense competition from local grocers like Harris Teeter and Food Lion. —Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, open space, threshing floor; perhaps akin to Latin arēre to be dry — more at arid

First Known Use

circa 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 5

Phrases Containing area

• area code
• area of expertise
• association area
• Broca's area
• catchment area
• conservation area
• disaster area
• equal-area
• fringe area
• gray area
• growth area
• in the area of
• local area network
• no-go area
• reception area
• rest area
• sensory area
• service area
• staging area
• sterling area
• sub-area
• surface area
• Wernicke's area
• wide area network
• wilderness area

Rhymes for area

• aquaria
• gregaria
• herbaria
• hysteria
• malaria
• puparia
• rancheria
• araucaria
• arenaria
• honoraria
• mercenaria
• ceria

Kids Definition

area

noun

ar·​ea ˈar-ē-ə 

ˈer-

1

: a particular piece of ground or extent of space often set aside for special use

a picnic area

a waiting area

2

: the surface inside a figure or shape

especially : the number of unit squares equal to the amount of space the surface covers

a circle with an area of 500 square meters

3

: region sense 2a

a farming area

4

: a field of activity or study

5

: a part of the brain having a particular function (as vision or hearing)

Etymology

from Latin "open space, threshing floor" — related to aerie

Medical Definition

area

noun

ar·​ea ˈar-ē-ə, ˈer- 

: a part of the cerebral cortex having a particular function see association area, motor area, sensory area