# follicle

/ˈfɑɫəkəɫ/ (US) · /fˈɒlɪkəl/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/follicle
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a small, tiny pocket or sac in the body that holds something. In humans, it is the tiny hole in your skin where a hair grows.

For teachers: a small sac or cavity in the body, typically containing a developing cell or structure. In dermatology, it refers to the tiny opening in the skin through which a hair shaft grows.

## Examples

- The doctor checked the hair follicle for signs of infection.
- Each hair follicle is a complex structure that contains the cells responsible for hair growth and pigment production.
- The endocrinologist explained that the thyroid follicle is lined with cells that produce and store the hormones necessary for regulating the body's metabolic rate.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.