pigmentation
Americannoun
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coloration in plants, animals, or man caused by the presence of pigments
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the deposition of pigment in animals, plants, or man
Other Word Forms
- hyperpigmentation noun
Etymology
Origin of pigmentation
1865–70; < Late Latin pigmentāt ( us ) painted, colored ( pigment, -ate 1 ) + -ion
Explanation
Pigmentation is the natural tint or color of any living thing. The black pigmentation on your dog's tongue is one clue that she may be part chow chow. Use this fancy word to mean "color," especially when you're talking about plants or animals (including people). The bright green pigmentation of a tree on your block changes to deep orange by mid-October. And the pigmentation in your skin may be slightly darker than your brother's. The word pigmentation comes from pigment and the Latin pingere, "to color or paint," a root it shares with the English word paint.
Vocabulary lists containing pigmentation
"How It Feels to Be Colored Me"
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Vocabulary from Readings 2, Unit 4
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Lessons 9–10
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Scientists predicted that the Beachy Head Woman probably had light skin pigmentation, blue eyes, and fair hair.
From Science Daily • Jan. 25, 2026
For decades, Iluka has been mining zircon in Australia - a key ingredient in ceramics, and titanium dioxide used in the pigmentation of paint, plastics and paper.
From BBC • Aug. 12, 2025
Officials are urging hunters not to consume any meat from an animal with signs of the blue pigmentation in their meat or fat, and to report the find to officials.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2025
I would merely change my pigmentation and allow people to draw their own conclusions.
From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
