pixel

noun

pix·​el ˈpik-səl 

-ˌsel

plural pixels

1

: any of the small discrete elements that together constitute an image (as on a television or digital screen)

… the number of pixels determines how sharp and realistic the image looks.

—Leslie Meredith

2

: any of the detecting elements of a solid-state optical sensor (such as a CCD or CMOS device)

The team used a new CCD detector that has an 8,192 by 8,192 pixel array, which makes it the world's largest astronomical CCD.

—Astronomy

the … CMOS image sensor provides a 9-µm pixel size …

—Mathew Dirjish

Did you know?

Is it pixelated or pixilated?

Pixelated is used to describe digital images in which individual pixels are discernable, as when you look closely at a large photo and can see the tiny dots that make up the image. Pixilated (coined from pixie, a pixie being a cheerful, mischievous sprite) is usually used to describe things considered whimsical, or people who seem dazed or lost in thought. While pixelated is a late 20th century coinage, pixilated has been in use since the mid-19th century.

Examples of pixel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Switch to color and the resolution drops to 1,600 x 1,200 pixels across 4,096 colors, reportedly drawing on E Ink's Kaleido 3 technology. — New Atlas, 14 Sep. 2026

Astronomers have repeatedly pointed Webb toward the little red dots, wringing precious new information from these pixels of light. — Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026

Both last year's and this year's iPhone Pro models feature screens with a pixel density of 460 pixels per inch, an always-on display, and a slightly anti-reflective coating. — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 13 Sep. 2026

Another particularly offensive example of over-screening is the BMW M5 Touring—taking a phone call in that thing turns the cinema-sized display into a blanket of black pixels just to center-screen your caller’s phone number. — Andrew P. Collins, The Drive, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

pix + element

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pixel

noun

pix·​el ˈpik-səl 

-ˌsel

: any of the small elements that together make up an image (as on a television screen) or sensor (as in a camera)

Etymology

from pix, an altered form of pictures, and element