albinism

American  

[al-buh-niz-uhm] / ˈæl bəˌnɪz əm /

noun

1. the state or condition of being an albino.

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Other Word Forms

• albinistic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of albinism

First recorded in 1830–40; albin(o) + -ism

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Explanation

Albinism is a genetic condition that causes a person to have pale hair, eyes, and skin. In animals, albinism results in white fur, skin, scales, or feathers, and pink or red eyes. Inheriting the particular genes responsible for albinism means a person's body is missing the pigments that give some of us dark brown eyes or bright red hair, for example. This lack of pigmentation results in very light-colored hair, eyelashes, and skin, and typically pale blue eyes. Aside from these physical characteristics, people with albinism are especially sensitive to sunburn. The Latin root of albinism is albus, or "white."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

albinism

Although they come from Pakistani heritage, albinism runs in the family - both of her parents, all six of their children, herself, and various other relatives have the genetic condition.

From BBC ● Oct. 29, 2026

Higgsfield, a platform for generating virtual models, gives creators options to add scars, burns, albinism -- a lack of melanin pigmentation -- and vitiligo, which causes white patches on the skin.

From Barron's ● Mar. 27, 2026

American alligators without albinism can live about 50 years in their natural habitats, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, but they can live up to 70 in captivity.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 3, 2025

As a result, Tanzania stepped up investigations when it came to witchcraft-related killings of people with albinism and tightened laws against discrimination.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2025

From the beginning Selvam had accepted the child’s albinism: accepted it and thought no more of it.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

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