WordGarden.ioarmpit
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɑːmpɪt/
US
- /ˈɑrmˌpɪt/
Meanings
Noun
the hollow under the arm where it joins the shoulder
(informal)a very dirty, ugly, or unpleasant place
Beyond the definition
The armpit—also known as the axilla—is the hollow area under your arm where the upper arm meets the torso. It is a surprisingly complex space, housing nerves, blood vessels, and lymph nodes. While often considered an unglamorous body part, it plays a vital role in movement and cooling the body. In conversation, you might say you are "up to your armpits" in work, a phrase meaning you are completely overwhelmed or busy. Historically, the armpit was a serious vulnerability for knights; because solid armor could not cover the joint without restricting movement, it was a common target in battle.
The armpit, medically known as the axilla, is the area beneath the shoulder joint where the upper arm connects to the torso. It is more than just a skin crease! This seemingly small space is a logistical hub for your body, containing vital structures like the brachial plexus (nerves controlling the arm and hand), major blood vessels, and lymph nodes that act as checkpoints for your immune system.
Physiologically, the armpit aids in thermoregulation—fancy talk for cooling you down. The apocrine glands located here release a thicker, oilier fluid than sweat produced elsewhere on the body. When this fluid mixes with bacteria on the skin, it can create the distinct scent known as body odor.
Culturally, the word carries strong associations with dirt and unpleasantness. To describe a city or town as "the armpit of the world" is a harsh insult, implying the place is ugly, dirty, or undesirable. However, the word isn't always negative; being "up to your armpits" in a project simply implies you are deeply involved or surrounded by it.
So, while often hidden away, the armpit is a fascinating intersection of anatomy and language—a vulnerable, functional, and metaphorically potent part of the human body.
Examples
- 1
Body pain
She felt a sharp pain under her left armpit when she reached for the box.
- 2
Sweat
After the game, his shirt was soaked around the armpits.
- 3
Figurative insult
People used to call that neighborhood the armpit of the city.
- Phrasethe armpit of + place
the dirtiest or most unpleasant part of it
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- armpitnoun
Forms
- armpitspluralnoun