1
: a substance that imparts black or white or a color to other materials
especially
: a powdered substance that is mixed with a liquid in which it is relatively insoluble and used especially to impart color to coating materials (such as paints) or to inks, plastics, and rubber
2
: a coloring matter in animals and plants especially in a cell or tissue
also
: any of various related colorless substances
Synonyms
Examples of pigment in a Sentence
Noun
Chlorophyll is a group of green pigments.
Melanin is a pigment that gives color to skin and fur.
Albinos lack normal skin pigment.
Pigments are used to give color to paint, ink, and plastic.
Red pigment is mixed into the ink.
Recent Examples on the Web
Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
For both of the purebred species, their pale feathers get their color not from pigment, but from a unique structure.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Eyes and light While the pupils of our eyes naturally constrict to limit bright light, and our eyes have pigments to absorb light, direct sunlight overwhelms these functions.
—Geoffrey Bradford, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2024
The study analyzed nine major tattoo ink brands in the United States, and found that out of the 54 inks examined, 45 contained undisclosed additives or pigments known for posing health risks.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024
Many red, yellow and orange pigments are azo pigments, which contain two connected nitrogen atoms.
—John Swierk, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2024
Over a two-week period, the team spent 8 hours testing in the lab and 464 hours testing at home and in the real world, carefully considering each formula — especially the application process, wear, texture, and pigment.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
Finish: Creamy matte Key ingredients: Antioxidant lipstick tree, 3D glowing pigments, vitamin E, waxes
Staying power: Formulated for a 10-hour wear
Ease of application: With a unique, square-angled shape, the lipstick’s tip was designed for easy, precise application.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024
Essie Nail Polish in Fiji $9 View On Walmart $8 View On Ulta $10
This shade is a standout that goes beyond the brand's beloved sheer pink (Ballet Slippers) in terms of pigment.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2024
Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024
And plastics are also endangering life ashore by leaching toxic chemicals like flame retardants, plasticizers, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, and pigments into soil and freshwater.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024
These shimmery options can be just as pigmented and blinding as their powdery counterparts, all while being extremely easy to build and blend with the rest of your complexion essentials.
—Denise Primbet, Glamour, 8 Feb. 2024
Unlike Brooks, who’s lip color was more pigmented to represent Sofia’s personality, Fantasia’s character was more demure at the start of the film.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 4 Jan. 2024
This rich and creamy eyebrow pencil comes highly pigmented in 12 different shades, including a couple of options for red hair as well as a taupe hue for gray hair.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 12 Dec. 2023
On the other hand, liquid lipstick lasts longer, does not require a liner, and is highly pigmented.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 7 Dec. 2023
Sigma's lip cream provides a glossy finish that's pigmented and buildable, while UD's Vice lipstick has been a fan-favorite since 2016 for its long-lasting formula and color.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 11 Oct. 2023
Shimmering pastels are pigmented from the shades of Earth’s metals; the slow patina of aging copper and the delicate gleam of alloyed steel.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 9 Aug. 2023
Noun
Perhaps the oldest sunscreen involves the pigment known as ochre.
—Discover Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024
For both of the purebred species, their pale feathers get their color not from pigment, but from a unique structure.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024
Eyes and light While the pupils of our eyes naturally constrict to limit bright light, and our eyes have pigments to absorb light, direct sunlight overwhelms these functions.
—Geoffrey Bradford, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2024
The study analyzed nine major tattoo ink brands in the United States, and found that out of the 54 inks examined, 45 contained undisclosed additives or pigments known for posing health risks.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024
Many red, yellow and orange pigments are azo pigments, which contain two connected nitrogen atoms.
—John Swierk, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2024
Over a two-week period, the team spent 8 hours testing in the lab and 464 hours testing at home and in the real world, carefully considering each formula — especially the application process, wear, texture, and pigment.
—Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024
Finish: Creamy matte Key ingredients: Antioxidant lipstick tree, 3D glowing pigments, vitamin E, waxes
Staying power: Formulated for a 10-hour wear
Ease of application: With a unique, square-angled shape, the lipstick’s tip was designed for easy, precise application.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2024
Essie Nail Polish in Fiji $9 View On Walmart $8 View On Ulta $10
This shade is a standout that goes beyond the brand's beloved sheer pink (Ballet Slippers) in terms of pigment.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2024
Verb
Most Popular Wellness Each Zodiac Sign's Unique Personality Traits
Wellness
What the April Solar Eclipse Could Mean for You Astrologically
Hair
Nicole Kidman Changed Her Hair Color — and, Apparently, Her Entire Vibe
Editor Tip: Allure tester Gabi Thorne loves how pigmented this blush's formula is.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Apr. 2024
And plastics are also endangering life ashore by leaching toxic chemicals like flame retardants, plasticizers, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, and pigments into soil and freshwater.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024
These shimmery options can be just as pigmented and blinding as their powdery counterparts, all while being extremely easy to build and blend with the rest of your complexion essentials.
—Denise Primbet, Glamour, 8 Feb. 2024
Unlike Brooks, who’s lip color was more pigmented to represent Sofia’s personality, Fantasia’s character was more demure at the start of the film.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 4 Jan. 2024
This rich and creamy eyebrow pencil comes highly pigmented in 12 different shades, including a couple of options for red hair as well as a taupe hue for gray hair.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 12 Dec. 2023
On the other hand, liquid lipstick lasts longer, does not require a liner, and is highly pigmented.
—Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 7 Dec. 2023
Sigma's lip cream provides a glossy finish that's pigmented and buildable, while UD's Vice lipstick has been a fan-favorite since 2016 for its long-lasting formula and color.
—Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 11 Oct. 2023
Shimmering pastels are pigmented from the shades of Earth’s metals; the slow patina of aging copper and the delicate gleam of alloyed steel.
—India Espy-Jones, Essence, 9 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pigment.' 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 pigment
Cite this Entry
“Pigment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pigment. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
pigment
noun
pig·ment
ˈpig-mənt 
: a coloring matter in animals and plants especially in a cell or tissue
also
: any of various related colorless substances
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