coloration

noun col·or·a·tion \ ˌkə-lə-ˈrā-shən \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: coloration in a Sentence

Definition of coloration

1 a : the state of having color

the dark coloration of his skin

b : use or choice of colors (as by an artist)

c : arrangement of colors

the coloration of a butterfly's wing

2 a : characteristic quality

the newspapers … took on the former coloration of the magazine
—L. B. Seltzer

b : aspect suggesting an attitude

the chameleon talent for taking on the intellectual coloration of whatever idea he happened to fasten onto
—Budd Schulberg

3 : subtle variation of intensity or quality of tone

a wide range of coloration from the orchestra

See coloration defined for English-language learners

See coloration defined for kids

Examples of coloration in a Sentence

the coloration of a flower
the bright yellow coloration of the curtains
wine glasses with circle designs and blue and green colorations
He attempted to give a religious coloration to the war.

Recent Examples of coloration from the Web

Only a few types have venom strong enough to harm you and fangs (yikes!) long enough to penetrate your skin. Venomous spiders found in the Southeast include: Black widow – identified by the pattern of red coloration on the underside of its abdomen.

— mary caldwell, ajc, "Here’s how to identify (and get rid of) venomous spiders in your home," 20 June 2018
Shad patterns are among the top colorations for these lures--the shad spawn is likely gearing up right now, and these abundant baitfish will become the primary food of bass feeding after the long hiatus during their nesting period.

— frank sargeant, AL.com, "Time for post spawn bassing on Alabama lakes," 25 Apr. 2018
Sunflower blossoms vary greatly, from the traditional with yellow outer portions and brown centers to those with orange, red and maroon coloration.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Enjoy sunflowers almost any time of the year," 6 June 2018
Algal blooms can affect drinking water taste, odor and coloration, and even produce toxins that are difficult to remove with conventional water treatment.

— emily hopkins, Indianapolis Star, "In Hendricks County, Ronald Reagan Parkway extension pits science against growth," 9 July 2018
The ghost crab is named for its cryptic coloration.

— New York Times, "Ghost on the Beach," 28 June 2018
But if any of these creatures turn to a pigment-free diet, their coloration fades to white.

— robinson russell, National Geographic, "Why This Rare Lobster Is Colored Like Blue Cotton Candy," 19 June 2018
Concrete girders under the Cloverdale overpass, damaged by fire from a deadly crash on June 16, display pink coloration that is a sign of internal damage.

— kevin davenport, idahostatesman, "How a 20-minute fire in the fatal I-84 crash ruined a concrete overpass," 22 June 2018
Visiting a textile coloration mill also had a big influence on me.

— New York Times, "A Scientist With a Deep Love of Textile Mills," 22 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coloration.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of coloration

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin colōrātiōn-, colōrātiō, from Latin colōrāre "to ²color" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1626

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year