ar|e|a

ar|e|a «AIR ee uh», noun.

1. an amount of surface; extent of surface: »

The area of this floor is 600 square feet.

2. region or district: »

The Rocky Mountain area is the most mountainous in the United States.

SYNONYM(S): tract, stretch, zone.

3. a level, open space: »

a playground area.

4. Figurative. range of knowledge or interest; sphere of actity; field: »

Our science teacher is familiar with the areas of physics, chemistry, and similar sciences.

SYNONYM(S): extent, scope, expanse.

5. a yard or court of a building.

6. British. a sunken space at the entrance of a cellar or basement; areaway (def. 1).

7. a) a portion of the cerebral cortex whose function has been identified: »

the sensory area, the speech area.

b) any other section of the body or a section of one of its organs: »

the pulmonary area of the heart.

╂[< Latin ārea piece of level ground]