follicle
noun
fol·li·cle
ˈfä-li-kəl 
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
Examples of follicle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This leads the follicle to keep growing, forming a larger cyst.
—
Korin Miller, SELF, 22 Apr. 2025
Ginty’s team showed that thick, fast-conducting neurons encircle the follicles of guard and awl hairs, allowing the mice to quickly discriminate where and how they’re being touched.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
The sebum becomes discolored when exposed to air, not necessarily because the follicle contains dirt.
—Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025
Each follicle grows in a regular cycle, explains Houshmand.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for follicle
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Korin Miller, SELF, 22 Apr. 2025
Ginty’s team showed that thick, fast-conducting neurons encircle the follicles of guard and awl hairs, allowing the mice to quickly discriminate where and how they’re being touched.
—Ariel Bleicher, Quanta Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025
The sebum becomes discolored when exposed to air, not necessarily because the follicle contains dirt.
—Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025
Each follicle grows in a regular cycle, explains Houshmand.
—Rj MacKenzie, Popular Science, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for follicle
Cite this Entry
“Follicle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/follicle. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
follicle
noun
fol·li·cle
ˈfäl-i-kəl
1
a
: a small cavity or a deep bodily depression with a narrow mouth (as one from which a hair grows)
2
: a dry one-celled fruit (as in the milkweed) that splits open by one seam when ripe
Medical Definition
follicle
noun
fol·li·cle
ˈfäl-i-kəl
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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