Definition of "area" []

• A roughly bounded part of the space on a surface; a region: a farming area; the New York area. (noun)
• A surface, especially an open, unoccupied piece of ground: a landing area; a playing area. (noun)
• A distinct part or section, as of a building, set aside for a specific function: a storage area in the basement. (noun)
• A division of experience, activity, or knowledge; a field: studies in the area of finance; a job in the health-care area. (noun)
• An open, sunken space next to a building; an areaway. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "D. C.-area drivers put up with a lot: Jam-packed roads, distracted drivers and bottlenecked highways, but cars swerving into oncoming traffic just to shave a few seconds off the morning commute is a bit much for some in Arlington - even by area standards."
• "D. C.-area residents know how smart they are (a recent Brookings Institution report noted that area residents are the best educated in the country)."
• "L. A.-area residents can determine if their home is within Sezmi's service coverage area at the startup's Web site."