pigment

1 of 2

noun

pig·​ment ˈpig-mənt 

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

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

Synonyms

Noun

• color
• colorant
• coloring
• dye
• dyestuff
• stain

Verb

• bepaint [archaic]
• color
• dye
• paint
• stain
• tincture
• tinge
• tint

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.

Verb

pigmented varnishes

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Using non-sterile water to dilute the pigments (ingredients that add color) is a common culprit, although not the only one. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025

How to create the illusion of dilation by carefully layering light and dark pigment. —Gregory Barber Sasha Arutyunova, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Verb

Today’s formulas are finely milled, baked, buildable, and richly pigmented. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 May 2025

This lightweight closure mimics your scalp more precisely, no matter how light or deeply pigmented the skin tone, to achieve the most accurate replica of your own scalp. —Gabrielle Nicole Pharms, StyleCaster, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, spice, dye, from Latin pigmentum coloring substance, from pingere to paint — more at paint

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1896, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pigment

• respiratory pigment

Rhymes for pigment

• figment

Kids Definition

pigment

noun

pig·​ment

ˈpig-mənt

1

: a substance that gives color to other materials

especially : a powder mixed with a liquid to give color

2

: a natural coloring matter in animals and plants

pigmented

-mənt-əd

-ˌment-

adjective

Medical 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