coloration

noun

col·​or·​a·​tion ˌkə-lə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce coloration (audio)
1
a
: the state of having color
the coloration of the skin from a bruise
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 magazines …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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Seamless stitching and different coloration on the Creature’s body reflects how Victor has pieced it together via dead soldiers and parts found on the battlefield. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025 This has given the conflict a religious coloration, and political elites have also chosen to politicize the conflict to negotiate power and other interests, which has complicated the problem. Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025 Chlorosis appears as a yellowing of the foliage, which can be hard to detect in 'Lemon-Lime' Nandina, however, the veins remain green, which can help distinguish natural coloration from chlorosis. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 6 Nov. 2025 The second part also was to select fabrication, the shape and coloration. Zach Wichter, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for coloration

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of coloration was in 1626

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coloration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coloration. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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