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

The topical solution works by blocking the action of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — a hormone that causes genetically sensitive hair follicles to shrink — directly at the follicle receptor rather than affecting hormones system-wide, according to Cosmo Pharmaceuticals. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 9 Dec. 2025

The study by scientists from L'Oréal Research & Innovation and Queen Mary University of London, England, used advanced 3D live imaging to observe living human hair follicles in lab culture. —Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

Massaging your scalp can stimulate circulation and blood flow delivering more oxygen to hair follicles, which can help encourage growth. —Brianna Peters, Vogue, 24 Nov. 2025

Less common types of hair loss include alopecia areata, an auto-immune disease where the immune system attacks the hair follicles, and often appears as one or more bald spots. —Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 23 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hair follicle

• diabolical
• symbolical

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