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.
When a patient comes in for Preservé, their surgeon takes measurements, including the width of the breasts and the distance from nipple to nipple, and plugs the data into a three-dimensional imaging system, which returns a specific range of implants that will fit the person’s chest. Jolene Edgar, Allure, 15 Oct. 2025 When Janet Jackson’s nipple was briefly exposed during the Super Bowl halftime show in 2004, members filed more than 65,000 complaints with the FCC, leading to a record $550,000 fine. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025 Patients tend to notice subtle changes such as breast fullness, firmness, swelling, skin redness, nipple changes or discharge. Dr. Jamie Parkerson, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2025 Introducing formula can lead to decreased milk production, the baby preferring artificial nipples over the breast and stopping breastfeeding earlier than planned. Ann Kellams, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 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 18 Oct. 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

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