pixel

American  

[pik-suhl, -sel] / ˈpɪk səl, -sɛl /

noun

Computers, Television.

1. the smallest element of an image that can be individually processed in a video display system.

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pixel British  

/ ˈpɪksəl /

noun

1. any of a number of very small picture elements that make up a picture, as on a visual display unit

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pixel Scientific  

/ pĭk′səl /

1. The most basic unit of an image displayed on a computer or television screen or on a printer. Pixels are generally arranged in rows and columns; a given combination among the pixels of various brightness and color values forms an image.

2. ◆ A subpixel is one of three components of a pixel used in the representation of a color image. Each subpixel represents the contribution of a single color—red, green, or blue—to the overall color and brightness of the pixel.

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Closer Look

The images on a computer screen are composed of tiny dots called pixels (short for picture element). The computer controls each pixel individually. Most monitors have hundreds of thousands, or often millions, of pixels that are lit or dimmed to create an image. Each pixel of a color screen is made out of one red, one blue, and one green subpixel, generally arranged in a triangle, adjusted individually to create the combined effect of a single color but treated as a unit pixel for determining resolution. Pixels vary in size according to the size and resolution of the monitor. Smaller pixels provide higher resolution, and therefore sharper images, but require more memory to store the color and intensity data of each pixel and more processing time to refresh the screen. Resolution is frequently referred to in terms of dpi, or dots per inch.

Etymology

Origin of pixel

1965–70; pix ² (in the sense “pictures”) + el(ement)

Explanation

A pixel is one of the small dots or squares that make up an image on a computer screen. The more pixels there are, the more the image looks real or accurate. Any digital image is made up of pixels, and when someone talks about the resolution of a computer monitor or TV screen, they're referring to the number of pixels. Older televisions have around 300,000 pixels, but new high-definition TVs can have more than two million pixels, which produces a very sharp, clear image. The word pixel came from pictures, or pics, and element, and was coined in 1969.

Example Sentences

The Fitbit Air is designed to be worn alongside, or instead of, Google’s Pixel Watch.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

And they usually work alongside tech already baked into devices like smartphones, such as Face ID and Touch ID on iPhones, and Face Unlock on Google Pixel phones.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

Peaches is currently on tour with Model/Actriz opening East Coast dates and Pixel Grip on the West Coast.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

Although Google launched its own call-screening tool for Pixel phones in 2018, the feature has become more popular since Apple unveiled its similar offering alongside iOS 26 last year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

“I’m so sorry,” Pixel whispered again, and right before she turned to go, Mrs. Dimblewit intoned another spell.

From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega