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
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 organization’s Green Heart Project, which studies the impact of better air quality on heart disease through urban greening, has found that increasing the number of trees and shrubs in an area can create lower levels of a blood marker associated with inflammation.
—
Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
Schuster said the angle at which the landing area crosses the Fujian’s deck is only 6 degrees off center, compared with 9 degrees on the US carriers, limiting space between the landing strip and the forward two catapults.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
When Alejandro Balde pushes up from left-back, Girona have a three-on-three situation, which ends in a last-ditch Kounde block in the penalty area.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
As the fragile ceasefire in Gaza holds, a new idea to divide the Strip into two areas is gaining traction.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for area
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Oct. 2025
Schuster said the angle at which the landing area crosses the Fujian’s deck is only 6 degrees off center, compared with 9 degrees on the US carriers, limiting space between the landing strip and the forward two catapults.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
When Alejandro Balde pushes up from left-back, Girona have a three-on-three situation, which ends in a last-ditch Kounde block in the penalty area.
—Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
As the fragile ceasefire in Gaza holds, a new idea to divide the Strip into two areas is gaining traction.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for area
Cite this Entry
“Area.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/area. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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