pigment

1 of 2

noun

pig·ment ˈpig-mənt

Synonyms of pigment next

: 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

: a coloring matter in animals and plants especially in a cell or tissue

also : any of various related colorless substances

pigmentary

ˈpig-mən-ˌter-ē

adjective

pigment

2 of 2

verb

pig·ment ˈpig-ˌment

-mənt

pigmented; pigmenting; pigments

transitive verb

: to color with or as if with pigment

Example Sentences

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

Noun

The tattoo measure stemmed from interest in microblading, which uses a small tool lined with needles to inject pigment in skin, city staffers have said. —

Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2023 Electrolysis requires each individual hair to be treated multiple times, whereas laser hair removal treats hundreds of hairs simultaneously by targeting the melanin pigment in the follicle with a wavelength of intense energy light. —

Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 26 Apr. 2023 The vegetable's lutein and zeaxanthin pigments protect the retina and eye lens. —

Cynthia Sass, Mph, Rd, Health, 9 Mar. 2023 These are fish that eat large amounts of deep-water shrimp, and the pigment from the crustaceans builds up in the swordfish’s flesh over time. —

Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 6 Mar. 2023 In the process, exosome therapy increases collagen and elastin production, improves wound healing, and decreases pigment production, Dr. Garlapati explains. —

Devon Abelman, Allure, 11 Nov. 2022 Then, gently use a hammer or a mallet to transfer the pigment from the petals to the paper. —

Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2022 Their color changes based on the surrounding salinity and pH. The same pigment, indigoidine, was also used to dye the light beige and pink colors of the H&M shirt. —

John Cumbers, Forbes, 6 May 2023 The luxe demi-matte créme formula glides on smoothly and delivers a high pigment payoff in one swipe. —

ELLE, 20 Apr. 2023

Verb

This comfy, glossy lip color is uber pigmented with just one swipe. —

ELLE, 12 May 2023 Celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble launched a line of hair-coloring wax that's pigmented enough to show up on black hair and can be washed off easily with just shampoo. —

Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 14 Apr. 2023 The Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle blush is creamy, pigmented, and oh-so-easy to blend. —

Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 4 Apr. 2023 This past Beauty of Beauty winner is lightweight but pigmented and includes some of our favorite skin-care ingredients, like vitamin E and caffeine to hydrate and brighten the under eyes. —

Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 23 Mar. 2023 Smith has turned this dirt to pigment and uses it now to paint her own mountain. —

Harper's BAZAAR, 28 Nov. 2022 Those extra pathways can pigment terms, weaponize musical notes, or even ruin a first date with a rather putrid-tasting name. —

Marion Renault, Popular Science, 27 Dec. 2020 Last year, UOMA Beauty came out the gate with inclusive foundation shades, literal Badass lipsticks, highly pigmented eyeshadows for darker skin tones, game-changing concealers, and more. —

Asia Milia Ware, Teen Vogue, 27 Feb. 2020 This under eye treatment is actually pigmented to act as a light concealer for those who may want extra coverage or who want to go makeup-free. —

Popular Science, 3 Nov. 2019 See More

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.