pigment

American  

[pig-muhnt] / ˈpɪg mənt /

noun

1. a dry insoluble substance, usually pulverized, which when suspended in a liquid vehicle becomes a paint, ink, etc.

2. a coloring matter or substance.

3. Biology. any substance whose presence in the tissues or cells of animals or plants colors them.

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verb (used with object)

1. to color; add pigment to.

verb (used without object)

1. to become pigmented; acquire color; develop pigmentation.

   a poor quality of paper that doesn't pigment well.

pigment British  

/ ˈpɪɡmənt /

noun

1. a substance occurring in plant or animal tissue and producing a characteristic colour, such as chlorophyll in green plants and haemoglobin in red blood

2. any substance used to impart colour

3. a powder that is mixed with a liquid to give a paint, ink, etc

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pigment Scientific  

/ pĭg′mənt /

1. An organic compound that gives a characteristic color to plant or animal tissues and is involved in vital processes. Chlorophyll, which gives a green color to plants, and hemoglobin, which gives blood its red color, are examples of pigments.

2. A substance or material used as coloring.

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Other Word Forms

• hyperpigmented adjective
• nonpigmented adjective
• pigmentary adjective
• unpigmented adjective

Etymology

Origin of pigment

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin pigmentum paint, equivalent to pig- (stem of pingere to paint ) + -mentum -ment

Example Sentences

We see the folds best in raking light—directed at the painting from an acute angle—and the fleshy effect was created by the painter zigzagging the wax pigment across her neck in layers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Crucially, the artist did more than simply spray pigment around a hand pressed to the wall, the researchers say.

From BBC • Jan. 21, 2026

Its provenance was certified through methods including X-ray imaging and pigment analysis, he added.

From Barron's • Nov. 30, 2025

Silicone-based materials came into play for his face, soldiers, chest, back and right arm, since the material is clear and can be dyed to match the pigment of the creature’s skin.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2025

“Hair color doesn’t measure age, Mother. White is just another pigment, like black and brown.”

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston

Related Words

• coloring
• dye
• stain
• tint