coloration

noun

col·​or·​a·​tion ˌkə-lə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: the state of having color

the dark coloration of his skin

b

: use or choice of colors (as by an artist)

c

: arrangement of colors

the coloration of a butterfly's wing

2

a

: characteristic quality

the newspapers … took on the former coloration of the magazine

—L. B. Seltzer

b

: aspect suggesting an attitude

the chameleon talent for taking on the intellectual coloration of whatever idea he happened to fasten onto

—Budd Schulberg

3

: subtle variation of intensity or quality of tone

a wide range of coloration from the orchestra

Examples of coloration in a Sentence

the coloration of a flower

the bright yellow coloration of the curtains

wine glasses with circle designs and blue and green colorations

He attempted to give a religious coloration to the war.

Recent Examples on the Web

Still in testing, the animatronic birds may be used to study avian formations, coloration and communication, in addition to other natural ecosystems. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 12 Nov. 2024

For some time now, it hasn't been recycled due to the fact that its black coloration keeps it from being imaged by the optical scanners in recycling plants. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Nov. 2024

By staying in a tight group, the nymphs increase the effectiveness of their striking defensive aposematic coloration to ward off would-be predators. Plants, Fungi And Landscapes During a visit to the Lossiny Ostrov National Park (Russia), Svetlana Ivanenko found several parasol mushrooms. —Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

But where was the difference that would ultimately alter the coloration of nigriventris phenotype? —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 22 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin colōrātiōn-, colōrātiō, from Latin colōrāre "to color entry 2" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing coloration

• warning coloration

Kids Definition

coloration

noun

col·​or·​ation

ˌkəl-ə-ˈrā-shən

1

: use or arrangement of colors or shades : coloring

study the coloration of a flower

2

: the state of having color