hair follicle

noun

: the tubular epithelial sheath that surrounds the lower part of the hair shaft and encloses at the bottom a vascular papilla supplying the growing basal part of the hair with nourishment see hair illustration

Examples of hair follicle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rapid weight loss is a physiological stressor that can push hair follicles prematurely out of their growth phase and into a resting phase. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

In alopecia areata, a person's own immune system mistakenly targets healthy hair follicles, though Nagata says that researchers are still working to understand exactly why this occurs. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 31 July 2026

The body’s nervous response to that threat — the racing heart, sweaty armpits, and hair follicles on end — offered a lesson. — Rachel Nuwer, Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2026

The pick is formulated with aloe vera to deliver long-lasting hydration and hyaluronic acid to deeply moisturize your hair follicles. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 14 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hair follicle

• diabolical
• symbolical

Kids Definition

hair follicle

noun

: the tube-shaped sheath surrounding the lower part of a hair shaft

Medical Definition

hair follicle

noun

: the tubular epithelial sheath that surrounds the lower part of the hair shaft and encloses at the bottom a vascular papilla supplying the growing basal part of the hair with nourishment