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

Buy Now on Amazon COSRX AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner No matter what your skin concerns are—unevenness, blackheads or acne—the COSRX AHA/BHA exfoliating spray can help treat them by removing dead skin cells and clearing pores. —Lauren Wilrich, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025

How to use a blackhead strip What are the disadvantages of blackhead strips? 1. —Daley Quinn, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025

Dermatologists shared their favorite at-home blackhead treatments that truly decongest your pores. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2025

The blackheads are mostly gone with only a smattering remaining on my nose. —Jennifer Davis-Flynn, Outside Online, 2 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for blackhead

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead
• broadhead

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 darkened sebum and dead skin cells that blocks the duct of a sebaceous gland especially on the face

called also comedo, open comedo

compare whitehead

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