English
area
Etymology

Borrowed from Latin area.

Pronunciation
  • IPA: /ˈɛəɹiːə/
  • (America) enPR: ĕʼrē-ə; IPA: /ˈɛɹi.ə/
Noun

area (plural areas)

  1. (mathematics) A measure of the extent of a surface; it is measured in square units.
    • 2018, VOA Learning English > China's Melting Glacier Brings Visitors, Adds to Climate Concerns‎:
      It is about 4.5 million square kilometers in area and holds the world’s third largest collection of ice after Antarctica and Greenland.
  2. A particular geographic region.
  3. Any particular extent of surface, especially an empty or unused extent.
    The photo is a little dark in that area.
  4. The extent, scope, or range of an object or concept.
    The plans are a bit vague in that area.
  5. (British) An open space, below ground level, giving access to the basement of a house, and typically separated from the pavement by railings. [from 18th c.]
    • 1790, Helen Maria Williams, Julia, Routledge, published 2016, page 95:
      A boy seized it, whom she bribed with a shilling to relinquish his prize, which she was taking home, when it escaped from her hand, and fell down the area of a house.
    • 1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, chapter 4, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC ↗:
      This was so favourably received by the milkman and beadle that he would immediately have been pushed into the area if I had not held his pinafore while Richard and Mr. Guppy ran down through the kitchen to catch him when he should be released.
    • 1908, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans:
      A minute later we were both in the area. Hardly had we reached the dark shadows before the step of the policeman was heard in the fog above. As its soft rhythm died away, Holmes set to work upon the lower door. I saw him stoop and strain until with a sharp crash it flew open. We sprang through into the dark passage, closing the area door behind us.
  6. (soccer) Penalty box; penalty area.
  7. (slang) Genitals.
Related terms Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations
  • Portuguese: rebaixo
  • Spanish: patio inglés


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