pigmentation
noun
pig·men·ta·tion
ˌpig-mən-ˈtā-shən 
-ˌmen-
1
: coloration with pigment : the deposition or presence of pigment
… exposure to high levels of UV light increases pigmentation and reduces skin elasticity …—
Lina Cekaite and Hanne Groegaard
Lina Cekaite and Hanne GroegaardThe genetically blue lobsters get their color by inheriting two recessive genes for the pigmentation of their shells …—Leslie Gourse
Leslie GourseAt some point during the third trimester of pregnancy, a mysterious dark line appears on the belly. Not to worry, it's just a case of excess pigmentation.—Shawn Doherty
Shawn Doherty2
: pigment
Fine pigmentation for use in airbrush … (when properly thinned).—advertisement in The Artist's Magazine
advertisement in The Artist's MagazineExamples of pigmentation in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Throughout the year, her focus is on strengthening the skin barrier, balancing, and treating specific concerns like pigmentation, acne, or laxity through a combination of clinical treatments and precise at-home routines.
—Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
As for the other products in the collection, the A3O Elemental Serum is designed to target visible signs of aging, including sun damage, pigmentation, dehydration, and irritation.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 2026
Vitamin D status is highly individual, depending on factors such as age, skin pigmentation, location, and health status, making personalized guidance crucial.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
The writer Rivka Galchen explains recent research that extends Turing’s model, which now allows scientists to describe other kinds of pigmentation patterns that appear throughout the natural world.
—Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pigmentation
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Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026
As for the other products in the collection, the A3O Elemental Serum is designed to target visible signs of aging, including sun damage, pigmentation, dehydration, and irritation.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 2026
Vitamin D status is highly individual, depending on factors such as age, skin pigmentation, location, and health status, making personalized guidance crucial.
—Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 6 Jan. 2026
The writer Rivka Galchen explains recent research that extends Turing’s model, which now allows scientists to describe other kinds of pigmentation patterns that appear throughout the natural world.
—Jordana Cepelewicz, Quanta Magazine, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pigmentation
Cite this Entry
“Pigmentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pigmentation. Accessed 21 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pigmentation
noun
pig·men·ta·tion
ˌpig-mən-ˈtā-shən
-ˌmen-
: a coloring with pigment
especially
: an amount of bodily pigment that is greater than normal
Medical Definition
pigmentation
noun
pig·men·ta·tion
ˌpig-mən-ˈtā-shən, -ˌmen-
: coloration with pigment : the deposition or presence of pigment
Increased skin pigmentation, reflecting high concentrations of circulating corticotropin, may be present in patients with long-standing adrenal disease …—Mark S. Cooper et al., The New England Journal of Medicine
Mark S. Cooper et al., The New England Journal of MedicineWhen applied topically, minoxidil stimulates thickening and pigmentation of the fine vellus hairs on a proportion of the scalps of bald men.—Samuel M. Lesko et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association
Samuel M. Lesko et al., The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
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