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

Dehydration can manifest through various signs such as dry mouth, excessive thirst, fatigue, dizziness, dark urine coloration, and muscle cramps. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2023

These anthocyanins are responsible for giving red-orange and blue-violet coloration to flowers, vegetables, beans, and fruits. —Karen Asp, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 July 2023

This is disappointing, but not shocking given Virginia’s blue coloration. —The Editors, National Review, 9 Nov. 2023

The suitcase is also designed to gracefully flex under stress and conceal scratches and scuffs with its clever brush-stroke coloration and texture. —Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2023

In addition to its coloration, C. natanicharum stands out among tarantulas because of its ability to live in both arboreal and terrestrial burrows in evergreen forests. —Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Oct. 2023

The name also derives from the yellow or light-orange coloration of their bellies, back legs and occasionally front legs. —Jeremy Childs, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023

Genuine leathers, as a natural product, will vary in coloration and texture. —Samantha S. Thorpe, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2023

Each individual’s coloration pattern is unique, like a human fingerprint. —Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Aug. 2023

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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

• warning coloration

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