pigmentation
Americannoun
-
coloration in plants, animals, or man caused by the presence of pigments
-
the deposition of pigment in animals, plants, or man
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pigmentation
1865–70; < Late Latin pigmentāt ( us ) painted, colored ( see 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"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Vocabulary from Readings 2, Unit 4
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Lessons 9–10
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Once this gene was disabled, the plants no longer produced their characteristic red pigmentation.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 15, 2026
Thick hair, tattoos, darker pigmentation or aggressive movement can trip up sensors, says John Schuna, associate professor of kinesiology at Oregon State University.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 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
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
In addition I had my medicines and a month’s supply of the pigmentation capsules.
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.
