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

follicular

fə-ˈli-kyə-lər 

fä-

adjective

Examples of follicle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Behind the Hair Thickening Shampoo is biotin, rosemary oil—which experts say improves blood circulation for healthy follicles, fights bacteria and dandruff, and may indeed help with hair growth—caffeine, and prebiotics to give your scalp the healthiest environment possible for hair to thrive. —Sarah Han, Allure, 2 Dec. 2024

The luteal phase occurs from days 15 to 28 when the follicle that released the egg increases progesterone levels for pregnancy or degrades if fertilization does not occur. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 27 Nov. 2024

So could hyper-responders—patients whose ovaries naturally develop more follicles each month, thanks to their young age or conditions such as PCOS. —Kristen V. Brown, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2025

Following puberty, women have approximately 300,000 ovarian follicles, with a small subset of them periodically activating and entering the growing pool, a process which repeats every month until menopause. —Juergen Eckhardt, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin folliculus, from Latin, diminutive of follis bag — more at fool

First Known Use

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing follicle

• follicle mite
• follicle-stimulating hormone
• graafian follicle
• hair follicle

Rhymes for follicle

• diabolical
• symbolical

Kids 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)

b

: graafian follicle

2

: a dry one-celled fruit (as in the milkweed) that splits open by one seam when ripe

follicular

fə-ˈlik-yə-lər 

fä-

adjective

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

follicular

fə-ˈlik-yə-lər, fä- 

adjective