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nipple

C2
verbnoun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /nˈɪpəl/

US

  • /ˈnɪpəl/

Description

The nipple is the small raised part in the center of the breast in mammals, including humans. It is where milk comes out during feeding, so it is an important part of how babies are fed. It is also a very sensitive area because it has many nerve endings. Outside the body, the word is also used in plumbing and mechanics. There, a nipple is a short piece that connects pipes or other parts, or a small fitting that lets fluid or grease pass through. Because the word can refer to both the body and hardware, the meaning depends a lot on the context.

Examples

  1. 1

    Breastfeeding

    The baby latched onto her nipple and started feeding.

  2. 2

    Soreness

    She bought a cream for sore nipples while she was breastfeeding.

  3. 3

    Cold reaction

    The cold made his nipples hard under his shirt.

  4. 4

    Baby bottle

    Replace the bottle nipple if it gets cracked.

    • Phrase

      bottle nipple

      the soft part of a baby bottle that a baby drinks from

  5. 5

    Plumbing

    The plumber connected the two pipes with a short nipple.

    • Domain

      in plumbing, a pipe nipple

      a short piece of pipe with threads at both ends

Forms and spellings

4 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • nipplenounverb

Forms

  • nipplespluralnounverb
  • nippledpast tenseverbnoun
  • nippling-ing formverbnoun