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An aberration occurring in humans and other vertebrates, albinism is an absence of pigment in the eyes, skin, hair, scales, or feathers caused by a genetic defect. Albino animals rarely survive in the wild because they lack the pigments that normally provide the protective coloration and a screen against the sun’s rays. Humans have long bred certain albino animals, such as rabbits, for their appearance. In humans with total albinism, the affected person has milk-white skin and hair; the iris of the eye appears pink and the pupil is red. Problems with vision are common in albinism. Total albinism occurs in all races in about one in 20,000 persons.
Examples of albinism in a Sentence
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Lincoln grew up in Harlem, where he was bullied for his albinism.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 21 Aug. 2025
The Hardages were pioneers in encouraging scientific inquiry into ocular albinism, a condition for which no treatments or cures were available at the time.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Bovard shares her experience navigating the world with low vision and albinism on Low Vision Moments.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for albinism
Cite this Entry
“Albinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/albinism. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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