whitehead
noun
white·head
ˈ(h)wīt-ˌhed 
: a small whitish elevation of the skin (as on the face) due to retention of sebum and dead skin cells in a skin pore blocked by a thin layer of epithelium
called also closed comedo, comedo, milium
compare blackhead sense 1Examples of whitehead in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Additionally, these strips can also act as a pimple patch for your nose, treating whiteheads and blackheads simultaneously.
—
Daley Quinn, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Presence of blackheads: People with acne often have blackheads in addition to whiteheads; those with rosacea do not.
—Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2025
Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid reduces whiteheads and blackheads by unclogging pores, exfoliating the skin, and decreasing inflammation.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025
One 2009 study cited by the AAD also found a link between women smoking cigarettes and developing whiteheads and blackheads on their faces.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitehead
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Daley Quinn, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
Presence of blackheads: People with acne often have blackheads in addition to whiteheads; those with rosacea do not.
—Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2025
Salicylic acid: Salicylic acid reduces whiteheads and blackheads by unclogging pores, exfoliating the skin, and decreasing inflammation.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 13 Mar. 2025
One 2009 study cited by the AAD also found a link between women smoking cigarettes and developing whiteheads and blackheads on their faces.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitehead
Cite this Entry
“Whitehead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whitehead. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
whitehead
noun
white·head
ˈhwīt-ˌhed
ˈwīt-
: a small whitish lump in the skin caused by the fluid given off by an oil gland when the canal leading from the gland is blocked
Medical Definition
whitehead
noun
white·head
-ˌhed
1
: a small whitish noninflammatory elevation of the skin (as on the face) due to retention of sebum and dead skin cells in a skin pore blocked by a thin layer of epithelium
called also closed comedo, comedo
compare blackhead sense 12
Biographical Definition
Whitehead 1 of 2
biographical name (1)
White·head
ˈ(h)wīt-ˌhed
Alfred North 1861–1947 English mathematician and philosopher
Whitehead
2 of 2biographical name (2)
William 1715–1785 English dramatist; poet laureate (1757–85)
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