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

The genetically blue lobsters get their color by inheriting two recessive genes for the pigmentation of their shells …

—Leslie Gourse

At 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

2

: pigment

Fine pigmentation for use in airbrush … (when properly thinned).

—advertisement in The Artist's Magazine

Examples of pigmentation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But studies dating back decades have suggested that the devices don’t work as well on patients with darker skin pigmentation. —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025

For instance, why do male velvet ants not have ultra-black pigmentation and instead reflect light at a much higher rate than females? —Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Dec. 2024

Immediately ostracized by the students for her green pigmentation, Elphaba explodes with fury when her sister is abruptly removed from her care. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

One is shy, good, and bright but because of the pigmentation of her green skin she’s considered other, an outsider, while the girl with the wavy blonde tresses that match her complexion is frivolous, selfish, yet to discover her inner glow. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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

When 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