pigmentation
noun
pig·men·ta·tion
ˌpig-mən-ˈtā-shən 
-ˌmen-
1
: coloration with pigment : the deposition or presence of pigment
… exposure to high levels of UV light increases pigmentation and reduces skin elasticity …—
Lina Cekaite and Hanne Groegaard
Lina Cekaite and Hanne GroegaardThe genetically blue lobsters get their color by inheriting two recessive genes for the pigmentation of their shells …—Leslie Gourse
Leslie GourseAt some point during the third trimester of pregnancy, a mysterious dark line appears on the belly. Not to worry, it's just a case of excess pigmentation.—Shawn Doherty
Shawn Doherty2
: pigment
Fine pigmentation for use in airbrush … (when properly thinned).—advertisement in The Artist's Magazine
advertisement in The Artist's MagazineExamples of pigmentation in a Sentence
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Made with exfoliating glycolic acid, soothing chamomile, and moisturizing shea butter, the formula can also even out excess pigmentation and reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 2 June 2025
Hiroyuki Sasaki/Kyushu University Without getting too deep into the genetics, the X chromosome holds the code for black or orange pigmentation (white is driven by another mechanism).
—New Atlas, 24 May 2025
The wolves have broader heads, more powerful jaws and shoulders, and a white coat consistent with pigmentation genes discovered in fossil DNA.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Named after the child who discovered it, the eel-loach was identified by its lack of pigmentation and body shape.
—Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
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Jenny Berg, Vogue, 2 June 2025
Hiroyuki Sasaki/Kyushu University Without getting too deep into the genetics, the X chromosome holds the code for black or orange pigmentation (white is driven by another mechanism).
—New Atlas, 24 May 2025
The wolves have broader heads, more powerful jaws and shoulders, and a white coat consistent with pigmentation genes discovered in fossil DNA.
—Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Named after the child who discovered it, the eel-loach was identified by its lack of pigmentation and body shape.
—Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pigmentation
Cite this Entry
“Pigmentation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pigmentation. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pigmentation
noun
pig·men·ta·tion
ˌpig-mən-ˈtā-shən
-ˌmen-
: a coloring with pigment
especially
: an amount of bodily pigment that is greater than normal
Medical Definition
pigmentation
noun
pig·men·ta·tion
ˌpig-mən-ˈtā-shən, -ˌmen-
: coloration with pigment : the deposition or presence of pigment
Increased skin pigmentation, reflecting high concentrations of circulating corticotropin, may be present in patients with long-standing adrenal disease …—Mark S. Cooper et al., The New England Journal of Medicine
Mark S. Cooper et al., The New England Journal of MedicineWhen applied topically, minoxidil stimulates thickening and pigmentation of the fine vellus hairs on a proportion of the scalps of bald men.—Samuel M. Lesko et al., The Journal of the American Medical Association
Samuel M. Lesko et al., The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
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