axilla

noun

ax·​il·​la ag-ˈzi-lə  ak-ˈsi- 

plural axillae ag-ˈzi-(ˌ)lē 

-ˌlī

or axillas

: the cavity beneath the junction of a forelimb and the body

especially : armpit

Examples of axilla in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Your axilla is basically your armpit. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2021

The odor from the axilla corresponding to the dominant side (left) was rated more masculine and more intense than the other side (right). —Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2010

The odor samples were collected from the axilla of male donors not involved in the main experiment. —Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 2 Nov. 2017

For this reason, Dr. Green suggests patients repeat the Botox axilla treatment every six months to maintain the effects. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 19 Sep. 2022

The vaccine may enlarge the lymph nodes in the axilla, or armpit, according to Parkinson. —Becky Jacobs, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Dec. 2021

In one woman, the swelling would be seen only in the left axilla. —Melissa Healy, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2021

After all, the vaccine is supposed to elicit an immune response and typically injected into your upper arm, which is close to your axilla. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2021

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, diminutive of āla "armpit, upper arm, wing, axil" (axilla < *aksl̥-lā < *aksl-elā < *aksl- + *-el-, diminutive suffix) — more at ala

Note: Latin axilla is marginally attested in classical Latin, in a remark made by Cicero on its relation to āla ("fuga litterae vastioris" - "by the loss of an unwieldy letter"; Orator 153) and in a Greek glossary of Latin words. The usual Late Latin form is a metathesized ascilla or ascella, taken to mean "armpit," the sense "wing" being restricted to āla; from ascella descend Romance forms as Italian ascella "armpit," French aisselle.

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

axilla

noun

ax·​il·​la ag-ˈzil-ə  ak-ˈsil- 

: armpit

Medical Definition

axilla

noun

ax·​il·​la ag-ˈzil-ə  ak-ˈsil- 

plural axillae -(ˌ)ē, -ˌī  or axillas

: the cavity beneath the junction of the arm or anterior appendage and shoulder or shoulder girdle containing the axillary artery and vein, a part of the brachial plexus of nerves, many lymph nodes, and fat and areolar tissue

especially : armpit