posterization

noun

pos·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌpō-stə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

plural posterizations

1

a

: the obtaining of posterlike reproductions having solid tones or colors and little detail from photographs or other continuous-tone originals by means of separation negatives

b

: the visual effect produced when an image (such as a print or photograph) has a limited number of tones or colors rather than gradations of tone and color

I noticed posterization (the tendency for sudden shifts in color and shading where they should be gradual) in one drawing.

—Tony Hoffman

2

US sports, informal : the act or action of posterizing an opponent

The Warriors faithful will never forget 6-foot-3 Baron Davis soaring over the 6-9 Kirilenko for a massive posterization dunk in Golden State's only win.

—Jody Genessy

Examples of posterization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2024, Edwards won Dunk of the Year with his posterization of big man John Collins, resulting in a dislocated finger for Ant-Man. —Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

poster entry 2 + -ize

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for posterization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration