pigmentation

noun

pig·​men·​ta·​tion ˌpig-mən-ˈtā-shən 

-ˌmen-

1

: coloration with pigment : the deposition or presence of pigment

… exposure to high levels of UV light increases pigmentation and reduces skin elasticity …

—Lina Cekaite and Hanne Groegaard

The genetically blue lobsters get their color by inheriting two recessive genes for the pigmentation of their shells …

—Leslie Gourse

At some point during the third trimester of pregnancy, a mysterious dark line appears on the belly. Not to worry, it's just a case of excess pigmentation.

—Shawn Doherty

2

: pigment

Fine pigmentation for use in airbrush … (when properly thinned).

—advertisement in The Artist's Magazine

Examples of pigmentation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to the National Park Service, albinism is a genetic mutation that prevents the production of melanin (a pigment that gives an animal its color) in the cells, while leucism is the partial loss of all types of pigmentation, resulting in patches of white coloration. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025

With more than 4,100 Amazon ratings and glowing reviews regarding pigmentation, quality, staying power, and ease of application, this popular lipstick has been a go-to pick since its first launch. —Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025

Many breeds have darker lips and noses, and that pigmentation can also be found in their tongues and gums. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025

Armani Beauty’s Lip Power Longwear Satin Lipstick delivers the pigmentation and staying power of a matte, but swaps a potentially harsh, line-accentuating finish for a soft, almost-balm-like satin. —Lily Wohlner, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pigmentation

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

Kids Definition

pigmentation

noun

pig·​men·​ta·​tion ˌpig-mən-ˈtā-shən 

-ˌmen-

: a coloring with pigment

especially : an amount of bodily pigment that is greater than normal

Medical Definition

pigmentation

noun

pig·​men·​ta·​tion ˌpig-mən-ˈtā-shən, -ˌmen- 

: coloration with pigment : the deposition or presence of pigment

Increased skin pigmentation, reflecting high concentrations of circulating corticotropin, may be present in patients with long-standing adrenal disease …

—Mark S. Cooper et al., The New England Journal of Medicine

When applied topically, minoxidil stimulates thickening and pigmentation of the fine vellus hairs on a proportion of the scalps of bald men.

—Samuel M. Lesko et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association