blackhead

noun

black·head | \ ˈblak-ˌhed

Definition of blackhead

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

Symptoms of an epidermoid cyst include a small, firm bump under the skin, a visible blackhead at the top of the bump, expulsion of a thick, yellow, smelly material, and possibly redness, swelling, and tenderness, the Mayo Clinic says. — Korin Miller, SELF, "How to Tell If That Bump on Your Bikini Line Is an Ingrown Hair," 7 Jan. 2019 Nothing is better than a simple blackhead popping vid. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "10 Gross AF Pimple Popping Videos That Are Disgustingly Satisfying," 10 Sep. 2018 And the pores themselves are less offensive than the blackheads that live rent-free in their depths. — Mattie Kahn, Glamour, "I Regret to Inform You Vintner’s Daughter Is Totally Worth It," 24 Apr. 2019 Salicylic acid is really only ideal for blackheads and whiteheads. — Kat Suico, Allure, "The 21 Best Skin-Care Tips of All Time, According to Dermatologists," 23 Mar. 2019 In the Skincare Addiction subreddit, source of beauty tips both questionable and profound, one Redditor posted a query about Cosrx BHA Blackhead Power Liquid, a K-beauty serum hailed for its ability to dispense sebum and blackheads. — Macaela Mackenzie, Allure, "Redditors Swear Cosrx's BHA-Packed Blackhead Power Liquid Clears Up Ingrown Hairs," 7 Sep. 2018 Some may also suffer from clogged pores—the work of months of slathering on thick sunscreens and bronzers—for which Fusco recommends a session of Isolaz, an in-office laser treatment that helps clear imperfections and banish blackheads. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "How to Transition Your Skin-Care Routine for Fall Like a Pro," 12 Aug. 2018 Prescription retinoid products, such as Retin-Acan help with blackheads, Talakoub tells SELF. — Talia Abbas, SELF, "How to Get Rid of Blackheads on Your Nose, Chin and Forehead," 28 Dec. 2018 From the occasional pimple to blackheads littering your nose, there are so many different variations of acne. — Kelsey Castañon, Seventeen, "Everything You Need to Know About Acne — and How to Get Rid of It," 4 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'blackhead.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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black-headed grosbeak

Statistics for blackhead

Last Updated

26 May 2019

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Time Traveler for blackhead

The first known use of blackhead was circa 1837

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More Definitions for blackhead

blackhead

noun

English Language Learners Definition of blackhead

: a small, inflamed area on the skin with a dark spot in the middle

See the full definition for blackhead in the English Language Learners Dictionary

blackhead

noun

black·head | \ ˈblak-ˌhed

Kids Definition of blackhead

: a darkened bit of oily material blocking a pore in the skin

blackhead

noun

black·head | \ ˈblak-ˌhed

Medical Definition of blackhead

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