follicle

noun fol·li·cle \ ˈfä-li-kəl \

|Updated on: 24 Jun 2018

Definition of follicle

1 a : 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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follicular

play \fə-ˈli-kyə-lər, fä-\ adjective

See follicle defined for English-language learners

See follicle defined for kids

Recent Examples of follicle from the Web

After such a great deal of time, my follicles were still as strong as ever and but a few small patches had responded to treatment.

— trésor prijs, Teen Vogue, "How My Beard Affects My Gender Identity as a Trans Femme," 1 June 2018
The follicle stimulating hormone test (FSH) and the antimullerian hormone (AMH) blood tests gives me a sense of my ovarian reserve.

— nicole ellis, Washington Post, "‘Should I freeze my eggs?’: A doctor’s second opinion made all the difference," 2 May 2018
Pain and little bumps around the follicle, called traction folliculitis, are the first signs that a style is too tight.

— crystal martin, ajc, "What black women need to know about hair loss," 8 Apr. 2018
Each strip contains thousands of follicles, the proto-eggs of the ovary, preserved at their peak.

— robin marantz henig, WIRED, "Women May Have an Alternative to Freezing Their Eggs," 27 Mar. 2018
The researchers then moved the follicles containing eggs through three more culture steps, adding several different chemicals that encourage development.

— marissa fessenden, Smithsonian, "Researchers Mature Human Eggs in the Lab for the First Time," 10 Feb. 2018
Since clogged pores are at the root of all acne iterations, one of the best treatments is regular exfoliation to keep those follicles clear.

— lauren hubbard, Harper's BAZAAR, "Everything You Need To Know To Get Rid of Acne Once And For All," 8 Aug. 2017
Getting them caught in something can do as much damage and cause as much pain as getting the hair that grows from your follicles latched on to something.

— marci robin, Allure, "Beyoncé Reportedly Quit SoulCycle After Getting Her Hair Caught in a Bike," 7 May 2018
The wax rips out hair at the root, which opens follicles and potentially triggers this infection.

— anthea levi, Health.com, "5 Ways to Groom Your Pubic Hair, Ranked From Best to Worst," 27 Apr. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of follicle

New Latin folliculus, from Latin, diminutive of follis bag — more at fool

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1646

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

FOLLICLE Defined for English Language Learners

follicle

noun

Definition of follicle for English Language Learners

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

Medical 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

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