coloration

noun

col·​or·​a·​tion ˌkə-lə-ˈrā-shən 

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

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 on the Web

However, leucism — a separate condition — can also produce white coloration in whales, according to LiveScience, meaning not all whales with an ivory complexion are true albinos. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025

For example, juniper berries and blueberries are both blue, but their ancestors may have developed that coloration separately. —Molly Herring, Quanta Magazine, 27 June 2025

These edits were designed to express dire wolf characteristics, including larger size, more muscular build, thicker coat, and distinctive coat coloration. —Nia Bowers, USA Today, 24 May 2025

The blue coloration of the water is due to fine silt particles in the water. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing coloration

• warning coloration

Rhymes for coloration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

coloration

noun

col·​or·​ation

ˌkəl-ə-ˈrā-shən

1

: use or arrangement of colors or shades : coloring

study the coloration of a flower

2

: the state of having color