coloration

[kuhl-uh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. appearance with regard to color arrangement or use of colors; coloring.

   the bold coloration of some birds.

coloration

/ ˌkʌləˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. arrangement of colour and tones; colouring

2. the colouring or markings of insects, birds, etc See also apatetic aposematic cryptic

3. unwanted extraneous variations in the frequency response of a loudspeaker or listening environment

Other Word Forms

• colorational adjective
• colorationally adverb
• decoloration noun
• overcoloration noun
• precoloration noun
• recoloration noun
• transcoloration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of coloration¹

First recorded in 1605–15; color + -ation

Example Sentences

He recalled attending a meeting some years ago when GOP leaders gathered to discuss Colorado’s increasingly blue coloration.

From Los Angeles Times

The administration initially tried to give the NIH cuts a partisan coloration, suggesting that academic centers in blue states are fattening up on “indirect” research funding.

From Los Angeles Times

Arhgap36, a protein involved in many aspects of embryonic development, wasn’t previously known to affect skin or hair coloration.

From Science Magazine

For most food products, she said, consumers should use their eyes and noses to check for odd coloration or odors before throwing them out.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a very charismatic flower. Its form and coloration are quite striking,” Musial says.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• glow 
• hue 
• intensity 
• paint