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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
Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2026
Such sightings are extremely rare — one in 30,000 deer are born with albinism, but white deer can also be piebald.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 2 Jan. 2026
In their native East African country, the United Nations said that people with albinism are mutilated for body parts.
—Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
Claude had bright white scales and was nearly blind due to his albinism, a genetic condition that reduces the amount of melanin in the body.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 Dec. 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 29 Jan. 2026.
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