lanugo
noun
la·nu·go
lə-ˈnü-(ˌ)gō 
-ˈnyü-
-ˈnyü-
: a dense cottony or downy growth of hair
specifically
: the soft woolly hair that covers the fetus of some mammals
Examples of lanugo in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Court documents also stated that the child had lanugo, a type of body hair that a baby develops for protection and warmth.
—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
21 June 2026
It’s called lanugo, which is a downy hair that appears on the skin.
—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Gray seals are born with a covering of white hair, called lanugo.
—
Aimee Levitt,
Chicago Reader,
9 Jan. 2018
Commonly, doctors and parents see this soft hair on newborn babies, but lanugo usually sheds after a short time.
—
Dr. Manny Alvarez,
Fox News,
20 June 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
21 June 2026
It’s called lanugo, which is a downy hair that appears on the skin.
—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Gray seals are born with a covering of white hair, called lanugo.
—
Aimee Levitt,
Chicago Reader,
9 Jan. 2018
Commonly, doctors and parents see this soft hair on newborn babies, but lanugo usually sheds after a short time.
—
Dr. Manny Alvarez,
Fox News,
20 June 2017
Cite this Entry
“Lanugo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lanugo. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lanugo
noun
la·nu·go
lə-ˈnü-gō
-ˈnyü-
: a growth of hair resembling cotton or down
especially
: the soft hair that covers the fetus of some mammals including humans
Medical Definition
lanugo
noun
la·nu·go
lə-ˈn(y)ü-(ˌ)gō
: a dense cottony or downy growth of hair
specifically
: the soft downy hair that covers the fetus of some mammals
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