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

The complaint alleges Novartis used tracking pixels on its websites offering drug-discount programs to secretly transmit patient medical conditions, prescriptions and other sensitive health data to advertising companies including Google and ContentSquare. —Andrew Joseph, STAT, 25 Mar. 2026

This loadout gives it a total of 32 Xe2-HPG cores and a grand total of 4,096 pixel shaders. —Michael Justin Allen Sexton, PC Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026

The mustache required fewer pixels to animate than a mouth, and the overalls helped clearly define Mario’s movements. —Alexander Kaplan, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026

The upgrade dramatically increases the number of lights on the tower, from 259 pixels, or individual light points, to 8,547, allowing for more detailed displays. —Michael Cuviello, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 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