What does trichome mean?
Trichome is a technical biological term for a small, hair-like projection from the surface of a plant or other organism. In plants, trichomes arise from the epidermis and may be simple hairs, glandular structures, stinging hairs, or adaptations that reduce water loss and discourage herbivores. Their size and function can vary considerably, and they are often visible only under magnification. The word also has a broader zoological use for a fine, hair-like projection on an animal’s surface. Trichome is more precise than the everyday word “hair”: it identifies a particular kind of microscopic or structural outgrowth rather than suggesting a tuft or strand of hair in the ordinary sense. Because the term appears in botany, entomology, and microbiology, it is especially useful in scientific descriptions of plant defenses, insect anatomy, and surface adaptations.
nounA hair-like outgrowth from the surface of a plant or other organism, especially one that is glandular, protective, or involved in absorbing moisture. In botany, the term refers to an epidermal appendage and includes structures such as stinging hairs and glandular hairs.
- A hair-like outgrowth from the epidermis of a plant, such as a glandular, protective, or stinging hair.
- A slender hair-like projection on the surface of another organism.
"The carnivorous plant uses its sticky trichomes to trap small insects."
"A microscope revealed a dense covering of trichomes on the underside of the leaf."
"The spider's body is covered with fine trichomes that help it sense its surroundings."
The standard plural is “trichomes.”
"Dense trichomes cover the leaf and help protect it from insects."
A trichome is a plant’s individual hair—but on some carnivorous plants, those tiny hairs help trap prey.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does trichome come from?
The word comes from Ancient Greek τρίχωμα (tríchōma), meaning “tuft of hair” or “hair-like growth,” from τρίξ (thrix), “hair.” It entered English in the 19th century in biological and botanical usage. English words such as trichoblast and trichocyte share the same Greek hair-related root.
How trichome is actually used
Trichome is a specialized term used chiefly in botany and zoology. It is more precise than the general word “hair” because it describes a distinct hair-like epidermal structure rather than a mammalian hair or an informal tuft.
Easily confused with trichome
A trichome is a hair-like biological outgrowth, whereas a trichrome is something involving or using three colors or color bands.