1
: the surface included within a set of lines
specifically
: the number of unit squares equal in measure to the surface see Metric System Table, Weights and Measures Table
2
: the scope of a concept, operation, or activity : field
the whole area of foreign policy
3
: areaway
4
: a particular extent of space or surface or one serving a special function: such as
a
: a part of the surface of the body
b
: a geographic region
5
: a level piece of ground
6
: a part of the cerebral cortex having a particular function
Examples of area in a Sentence
Settlers came to this area from the east.
The group visited the area during a hunting trip.
in the area surrounding the lake
The storm caused damage in many areas along the coast.
a bird found only in remote areas of the U.S.
in many areas of the world
He is the metropolitan area's most popular politician.
He lived in an unfashionable area of the city.
She set aside a work area in the kitchen.
The dining area has extra windows.
Recent Examples on the Web
Richards was especially impressive against West Ham, keeping Crysencio Summerville at bay, shepherding him into less dangerous areas and providing cover for goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
—
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
The Nashua Police Department is asking the public to avoid the Sky Meadow area while investigators process the crime scene.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
The Armenian residents of Nagorno-Karabakh occupied a precarious position for the next three years, cut off from the world, until a final offensive in 2023 sent nearly all 100,000+ residents fleeing into Armenia, abandoning an area Armenians had occupied for several millennia.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
Mahtomedi High School officials canceled Friday night’s football game against Bloomington Kennedy, saying the Washington County Sheriff’s Office had advised them to do so due to ongoing law enforcement activity in the area.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for area
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
The Nashua Police Department is asking the public to avoid the Sky Meadow area while investigators process the crime scene.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
The Armenian residents of Nagorno-Karabakh occupied a precarious position for the next three years, cut off from the world, until a final offensive in 2023 sent nearly all 100,000+ residents fleeing into Armenia, abandoning an area Armenians had occupied for several millennia.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
Mahtomedi High School officials canceled Friday night’s football game against Bloomington Kennedy, saying the Washington County Sheriff’s Office had advised them to do so due to ongoing law enforcement activity in the area.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for area
Cite this Entry
“Area.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/area. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
area
noun
ar·ea
ˈar-ē-ə 
ˈer-
1
: a particular piece of ground or extent of space often set aside for special use
a picnic area
a waiting area
2
: the surface inside a figure or shape
especially
: the number of unit squares equal to the amount of space the surface covers
a circle with an area of 500 square meters
3
: region sense 2a
a farming area
4
: a field of activity or study
5
: a part of the brain having a particular function (as vision or hearing)
Etymology
from Latin "open space, threshing floor" — related to aerie
Medical Definition
area
noun
ar·ea
ˈar-ē-ə, ˈer-
: a part of the cerebral cortex having a particular function see association area, motor area, sensory area
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