hair follicle

noun

: the tubular epithelial sheath that surrounds the lower part of the hair shaft and encloses at the bottom a vascular papilla supplying the growing basal part of the hair with nourishment see hair illustration

Examples of hair follicle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hair transplant clinics in Turkey often use Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), which involves harvesting individual hair follicles and transplanting them in areas that are thinning or have experienced loss. Kyle J. Russell, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025 Thanks to a blend of pea peptides and glycerin nourishing hair follicles, fine and fragile strands appear more dense. Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2025 The sebaceous glands that live under our hair follicles secrete sebum. Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025 Researchers found that magnesium can pass through the skin barrier, primarily via hair follicles. Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hair follicle

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hair follicle was in 1838

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Cite this Entry

“Hair follicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hair%20follicle. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

hair follicle

noun
: the tube-shaped sheath surrounding the lower part of a hair shaft

Medical Definition

hair follicle

noun
: the tubular epithelial sheath that surrounds the lower part of the hair shaft and encloses at the bottom a vascular papilla supplying the growing basal part of the hair with nourishment

More from Merriam-Webster on hair follicle

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