# nipple

/ˈnɪpəɫ/ (US) · /nˈɪpəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nipple
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. anatomy

noun · CEFR B2

the small, dark part in the centre of the breast.

For teachers: the small projection of a mammary gland from which milk is secreted in females.

- The baby had trouble latching onto the nipple during the first few days of breastfeeding.
- The surgeon explained that the procedure would involve a small incision around the edge of the nipple to minimise visible scarring.

### 2. bottle-feeding

noun · CEFR B2

the rubber or silicone part on a baby's bottle that the baby sucks on.

For teachers: an artificial teat used for bottle-feeding infants, typically made of silicone or latex.

- You should check the nipple on the bottle to make sure the milk flows at the right speed.
- The paediatrician recommended switching to a slower-flow nipple to prevent the infant from swallowing too much air during feedings.

### 3. mechanical part

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a small metal part that connects pipes or allows liquid to pass through.

For teachers: a short pipe or connection piece, often threaded at both ends, used in plumbing or mechanical engineering.

- The mechanic tightened the grease nipple to ensure the joint was properly lubricated.
- The plumber replaced the rusted hexagonal nipple to restore the connection between the main valve and the secondary pipe.

Usage: Common in plumbing and bicycle maintenance contexts.

### 4. computing

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

a small button in the middle of some laptop keyboards used to move the mouse.

For teachers: an informal term for a pointing stick or isometric joystick located between the keys of a laptop keyboard.

- He prefers using the keyboard nipple over the touchpad when he is coding.
- While most modern laptops rely on large glass trackpads, some professional models still feature the classic red nipple for precise cursor control.

Teaching tip: This term is common among tech enthusiasts but can sound slightly unprofessional or cheeky in formal business meetings.

### 5. to provide a nipple

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

to give a baby a nipple to suck on or to put a nipple on a bottle.

For teachers: to fit a container with a teat or to offer the breast to an infant for feeding.

- The nurse showed the new mother how to nipple the bottle correctly.
- The laboratory protocol required the technician to nipple each feeding unit before placing them in the sterile enclosure.

## Examples

- The baby latched onto the nipple to feed.
- He felt a sharp chill through his thin shirt that made his nipples harden instantly.
- In mammalian anatomy, the nipple serves as the primary conduit for the delivery of nutrient-rich milk from the mother to the offspring during the neonatal period.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.