blackhead

noun

black·​head ˈblak-ˌhed 

1

: a small plug of darkened sebum and dead skin cells that fills a pore of the skin especially on the face

called also comedo, open comedo

compare whitehead

2

: a destructive disease of turkeys and related birds caused by a protozoan (Histomonas meleagridis) that invades the intestinal ceca and liver

3

: a larval clam or mussel attached to the skin or gills of a freshwater fish

Examples of blackhead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Use the chemical peel as the new step in your anti-pimple routine to help reduce the appearance of blemishes, like blackheads, as well as post-breakout scarring. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 18 Aug. 2023

Your purchase also includes a five-piece stainless steel skincare kit, which includes stainless steel tools like a blackhead extractor. —Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Aug. 2023

Effective for every skin type, according to the manufacturer, vibrations loosen up blackheads and help product penetrate deeper. —Elizabeth Berry, Good Housekeeping, 23 Aug. 2023

Besides extractor tools, there are practices that can help wave goodbye to your blackheads. —Andrea Jordan and Andi Breitowich, Women's Health, 31 July 2023

While AHAs are water soluble and are mainly used to chemically exfoliate skin, BHAs are fat soluble and can penetrate into pores to unclog blackheads. —Tatiana Velasco, Good Housekeeping, 27 July 2023

Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patches, $11 Where there’s summer sweat, there are blackheads and breakouts — so take care of seasonal blemishes with the Original Mighty Patches from Hero Cosmetics. —Peoplemag, 12 July 2023

Hero Cosmetics also has Mighty Patches for Nose Pores that target blackheads and whiteheads and an XL Mighty Patch Surface to tackle large areas like the cheek, forehead or body. —Good Housekeeping, 19 July 2023

Pore vacuums are most beneficial for people who have blackheads, are acne-prone, or have oily skin, says Dr. Gohara. —Addison Aloian, Women's Health, 13 July 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

circa 1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

blackhead

noun

black·​head ˈblak-ˌhed 

: a small oily bit of material blocking the outlet of a fat-secreting gland in the skin

Medical Definition

blackhead

noun

black·​head ˈblak-ˌhed 

1

: a small plug of sebum blocking the duct of a sebaceous gland especially on the face compare milium

2

: a destructive disease of turkeys and related birds caused by a protozoan of the genus Histomonas (H. meleagridis) that invades the intestinal ceca and liver

called also enterohepatitis, histomoniasis, infectious enterohepatitis