sebaceous

adjective

se·​ba·​ceous si-ˈbā-shəs 

1

: secreting or releasing sebum

a sebaceous duct

see also sebaceous gland

2

: of, relating to, or being sebum

a sebaceous exudate

3

: relating to, affecting, or originating in a sebaceous gland

sebaceous carcinoma

Examples of sebaceous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s something undeniably satisfying about peeling away a strip and seeing the visible evidence of impurities (think: blackheads and sebaceous filaments) lifted from your skin. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 24 July 2025

As with epidermoid cysts, sometimes a sebaceous cyst is just a lump that doesn’t have any uncomfortable symptoms. —Korin Miller, SELF, 11 June 2025

The heat and steam will help open up the pores before applying a cleansing oil to remove the sebaceous filaments. —Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2025

In both cases, rosemary water proves to be an excellent ally in the treatment of dandruff, whether sebaceous in nature or due to generally flaky scalp. —Alice Nardiotti, Vogue, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin sebaceus made of tallow, from sebum tallow

First Known Use

1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sebaceous

• sebaceous gland

Rhymes for sebaceous

• arenaceous
• argillaceous
• carbonaceous
• contumacious
• coriaceous
• efficacious
• farinaceous
• foliaceous
• membranaceous
• ochraceous
• olivaceous
• ostentatious

Medical Definition

sebaceous

adjective

se·​ba·​ceous si-ˈbā-shəs 

1

: secreting or releasing sebum see also sebaceous gland

2

: of, relating to, or being sebum

a sebaceous exudate

3

: relating to, affecting, or originating in a sebaceous gland

sebaceous carcinoma