sebaceous gland

noun

plural sebaceous glands

: any of the small saclike glands of the skin that are located in the dermis, typically open into an associated hair follicle, and contain cells which produce and secrete sebum

… oily skin happens when your sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, which is the waxy, oily substance that protects and hydrates your skin.

—Brooke Shunatona

… mites may be present in a dog's hair follicles and sebaceous glands and present no clinical signs.

—DogWorld

called also oil gland

Examples of sebaceous gland in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Skin Types Your skin type is primarily determined by the amount of sebum (oil made by the sebaceous glands in your skin) your skin produces. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025

Hormonal changes: Rising androgen levels during puberty can cause sebaceous glands to grow and produce excess oil, leading to acne. —Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 9 Jan. 2025

Moisturize: When skin gets too dry, the sebaceous glands become more active, producing more oil. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 1 Jan. 2025

Oil glands, or sebaceous glands, are usually connected to hair follicles and secrete an oily substance called sebum that moisturizes your skin and hair. —Carley Millhone, Health, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sebaceous gland

• ampersand
• beforehand
• behindhand
• bottomland
• contraband
• countermand
• dixieland
• fairyland
• fatherland
• firebrand
• hinterland
• motherland

Kids Definition

sebaceous gland

noun

se·​ba·​ceous gland

si-ˈbā-shəs-

: any of the skin glands that secrete an oily lubricating substance at the base of hairs or onto the skin

Medical Definition

sebaceous gland

noun

: any of the small saclike glands of the skin that are located in the dermis, typically open into an associated hair follicle, and contain cells that produce and secrete sebum

called also oil gland

see meibomian gland, sebocyte