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sebaceous gland
noun
plural sebaceous glands
: any of the small saclike glands of the skin that are located in the dermis, typically open into an associated hair follicle, and contain cells which produce and secrete sebum
… oily skin happens when your sebaceous glands produce too much sebum, which is the waxy, oily substance that protects and hydrates your skin.—Brooke Shunatona
… mites may be present in a dog's hair follicles and sebaceous glands and present no clinical signs.—DogWorld
called also oil gland
Examples of sebaceous gland in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Oil glands, or sebaceous glands, are usually connected to hair follicles and secrete an oily substance called sebum that moisturizes your skin and hair.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 19 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1728, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near sebaceous gland
Cite this Entry
“Sebaceous gland.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sebaceous%20gland. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
sebaceous gland
noun
se·ba·ceous gland
si-ˈbā-shəs-
: any of the skin glands that secrete an oily lubricating substance at the base of hairs or onto the skin
Medical Definition
sebaceous gland
noun
: any of the small saclike glands of the skin that are located in the dermis, typically open into an associated hair follicle, and contain cells that produce and secrete sebum
called also oil gland
see meibomian gland, sebocyteLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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