countershading
noun
coun·ter·shad·ing
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌshā-diŋ 
: cryptic coloration of an animal with parts normally in shadow being light and parts normally illuminated being dark thereby reducing shadows and contours
Examples of countershading in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kaye, Pittman and others revealed that the dinosaur’s topside was darker than its underside and tail; a physical feature called ‘countershading’ and associated with camouflage in modern animals.
—
Jon Tennant, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2016
The latter, which is most common, features a pattern called countershading, in which the fish has a black back and a white belly.
—National Geographic, 11 Feb. 2020
The study of fossilized pigments has continued to expose new information about prehistoric life, hinting at potential animal survival strategies by showing evidence of countershading and camouflage.
—Jay Bennett, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2012
Tree kangaroos show countershading, Holtz says, and the forest-dwelling raccoon dogs wear color patterns much like Sinosauropteryx.
—Brian Switek, Smithsonian, 26 Oct. 2017
Modern-day predators rely on an object’s shading to assess its shape, Vinther explains, and when prey is darker on top than on the bottom, a color scheme known as countershading, shadows are minimized and the animals look flatter.
—National Geographic, 14 Sep. 2016
A beautifully colored dinosaur fossil is the first to show evidence of countershading, a type of camouflage.
—National Geographic, 14 Sep. 2016
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jon Tennant, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2016
The latter, which is most common, features a pattern called countershading, in which the fish has a black back and a white belly.
—National Geographic, 11 Feb. 2020
The study of fossilized pigments has continued to expose new information about prehistoric life, hinting at potential animal survival strategies by showing evidence of countershading and camouflage.
—Jay Bennett, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2012
Tree kangaroos show countershading, Holtz says, and the forest-dwelling raccoon dogs wear color patterns much like Sinosauropteryx.
—Brian Switek, Smithsonian, 26 Oct. 2017
Modern-day predators rely on an object’s shading to assess its shape, Vinther explains, and when prey is darker on top than on the bottom, a color scheme known as countershading, shadows are minimized and the animals look flatter.
—National Geographic, 14 Sep. 2016
A beautifully colored dinosaur fossil is the first to show evidence of countershading, a type of camouflage.
—National Geographic, 14 Sep. 2016
Dictionary Entries Near countershading
Cite this Entry
“Countershading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countershading. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share