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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
Gus Alexiou, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024
Ancient customs One example that people in the West may be familiar with is the challenges faced by people with albinism.
—Gus Alexiou, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024
This was originally a region where an albinism mutation was localized.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 10 Jan. 2013
The breakthrough provides a model organism for the vision problems people with albinism experience.
—Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2019
One giveaway: Unlike animals with albinism, the badger’s eyes appear brown or black, not pink.
—Dominic Fracassa, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Dec. 2023
The animal is likely not a deer with albinism since the creature lacks the red eyes typically found in animals with albinism.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 12 Oct. 2023
The newsroom has covered controversial topics like menstruation stigma and albinism.
—Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2023
Since people with albinism often have vision problems, the researchers hope the reptiles will help scientists better understand how albinism affects eye development.
—Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'albinism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near albinism
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“Albinism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/albinism. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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