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

One condition is known as alopecia areata which is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks the hair follicles - causing the hair to fall out.

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2025

Androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss, is one of the most widespread causes of hair thinning in both men and women.

From Science Daily • Oct. 10, 2025

Pinkett Smith then pivoted to the main topic of the “Red Table Talk” episode: alopecia — an autoimmune disorder that causes significant hair loss in people, including Pinkett Smith.

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2022

What is the prognosis in the various varieties of alopecia?

From Essentials of Diseases of the Skin Including the Syphilodermata Arranged in the Form of Questions and Answers Prepared Especially for Students of Medicine by Stelwagon, Henry Weightman