sebum

noun

se·​bum ˈsē-bəm How to pronounce sebum (audio)
: fatty lubricant matter secreted by sebaceous glands of the skin

Examples of sebum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The skin requires sebum, an oil produced from the sebaceous glands, to keep skin hydrated.7 Androgens (a dominant male hormone) cause the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum. — Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025 It’s infused with volcanic ash to absorb sebum and grease, plus AHAs to gently exfoliate dead skin cells and even out skin texture. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 3 Mar. 2025 Their traditional fur preparation methods also protect the sebum. — Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2025 Many people believe going to bed with wet hair can make their hair appear oily because an oily substance called sebum is released. — Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sebum

Word History

Etymology

Latin, tallow, grease

First Known Use

circa 1860, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sebum was circa 1860

Browse Nearby Words

Sebright
sebum
Sebundoy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sebum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sebum. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

sebum

noun
se·​bum ˈsēb-əm How to pronounce sebum (audio)
: lubricant matter that is secreted by sebaceous glands of the skin and is composed of various lipids (such as triglycerides, fatty acids, and squalene)
Androgens, such as testosterone, play a role in the development and exacerbation of acne by stimulating the production of sebum.— Isabella Tan, Dermatology Times
… the resulting production of sebum from sebaceous glands aids in lubrication, heat insulation, … antimicrobial activity, and delivery of fat-soluble antioxidants to the skin surface.— Dustin H. Marks, American Journal of Clinical Dermatology
see sebocyte

More from Merriam-Webster on sebum

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sebum

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All