follicle

noun

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fol·li·cle | \ ˈfä-li-kəl

Definition of follicle

1a : a small anatomical cavity or deep narrow-mouthed depression

b : a small lymph node

c : a vesicle in the mammalian ovary that contains a developing egg surrounded by a covering of cells especially : graafian follicle

2 : a dry dehiscent one-celled many-seeded fruit (as of the milkweed) that has a single carpel and opens along one suture

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Examples of follicle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In addition to follicle shape, the angle at which hair follicles tunnel into the scalp contribute to whether or not hair will curl, wave, or grow in straight. — Amber Rambharose, Allure, "The Science of Beauty: How to Take Care of Curly Hair," 10 Dec. 2020 Keratin is distributed via the follicle and provides structure to human hair. — Amber Rambharose, Allure, "The Science of Beauty: How to Take Care of Curly Hair," 10 Dec. 2020 Mung beans deliver folate that’s supposed to restore luster to hair, while red clover has been shown to improve hair anchoring by inhibiting follicle shrinkage. — Sian Babish, chicagotribune.com, "Vegamour Gro+ Advanced Hair Serum review: Can this hair serum help prevent and reverse hair loss?," 19 Nov. 2020 Only the most expensive brands can contain active ingredients that can stimulate follicle regrowth. — Michael Pollick, chicagotribune.com, "The best hair-thickening shampoo," 9 Oct. 2020 Amino acids stimulate growth and strengthen hair beginning at the follicle. — Sian Babish, chicagotribune.com, "The best hair vitamin," 9 Oct. 2020 The incidences of lice among Black communities are just less — perhaps because of the difference in follicle shape and size, experts believe. — Kaitlyn Pirie, Good Housekeeping, "Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Head Lice," 27 Aug. 2020 Follicular cysts happen when a follicle (a sac that contains an egg) doesn't burst to allow ovulation and instead keeps growing, the Mayo Clinic explains. — Korin Miller, SELF, "9 Signs You're Dealing With a Ruptured Ovarian Cyst," 18 Aug. 2020 Then there are corpus luteum cysts, which happen when fluid starts building up inside a follicle that's already done its due diligence and released an egg. — Korin Miller, SELF, "9 Signs You're Dealing With a Ruptured Ovarian Cyst," 18 Aug. 2020

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

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Dictionary Entries near follicle

follicle-stimulating hormone

follicular hormone

Statistics for follicle

Last Updated

7 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Follicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/follicle. Accessed 24 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for follicle

follicle

noun

English Language Learners Definition of follicle

: a tiny hole in the skin from which a hair grows

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

follicle

noun

fol·li·cle | \ ˈfäl-i-kəl

Medical Definition of follicle

1 : a small anatomical cavity or deep narrow-mouthed depression especially : a small simple or slightly branched gland : crypt

2 : a small lymph node

3 : a vesicle in the mammalian ovary that contains a developing egg surrounded by a covering of cells : ovarian follicle especially : graafian follicle