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

Use a gentle scalp cleanser, moisturizer and oil to keep your sensitive hair follicles healthy, avoiding products with sulfates that can dry out the skin. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 2026

Here, an indulgent, chocolatey taste combines with a menagerie of wellness benefits — from stronger joints, nails, and hair follicles to glowier skin. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Head spas are credited with cleansing the scalp, stimulating blood flow, strengthening hair follicles and lowering stress and anxiety. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Instead, excess testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes the hair follicles to become smaller and then the hair strands to become thinner. — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 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