alopecia

American  

[al-uh-pee-shee-uh, -see-uh] / ˌæl əˈpi ʃi ə, -si ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. loss of hair; baldness.

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alopecia British  

/ ˌæləˈpiːʃɪə /

noun

1. loss of hair, esp on the head; baldness

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alopecia Scientific  

/ ăl′ə-pē′shə /

1. Loss of hair; baldness.

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Other Word Forms

• alopecic adjective

Etymology

Origin of alopecia

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek alōpekía “mange in foxes,” equivalent to alōpek- (stem of alṓpēx ) “fox” + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

There are several forms of hair loss, the most common being androgenetic alopecia, or male- or female-pattern hair loss.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

In tests using a mouse model of alopecia, a dissolvable patch containing both stevioside and minoxidil successfully stimulated hair follicles to re-enter the growth phase, which resulted in the development of new hair.

From Science Daily • Oct. 10, 2025

Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most common type of hair loss in men which usually begins between the ages of 20-25 years, according to NICE.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2025

This is the 2nd time that Chris has made fun of Jada on the #Oscars stage, & tonight he went after her alopecia.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2022

Anomalies of the Hair.—Congenital alopecia is quite rare, and it is seldom that we see instances of individuals who have been totally destitute of hair from birth.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)