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.
Best lotion treatment Any treatment that contains lotion can weigh down hair and clog hair follicles, but don’t worry. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 July 2026 The Machinery Behind Greying Hair Hair color comes from melanocytes, pigment-producing cells living in the hair follicle that load each growing strand with melanin. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Minoxidil works by reversing the miniaturization of the hair follicle, which leads to thin hair. — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 1 July 2026 Androgens may cause the hair follicle to shrink, impacting hair growth, while estrogen helps keep hair follicles in their growth phase for longer. — Heidi Cope, Health, 29 June 2026 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

Rhymes for hair follicle

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Browse Nearby Words

hair-fibered
hair follicle
hair gel
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Cite this Entry

“Hair follicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hair%20follicle. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hair follicle

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