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

Melanin, the compound responsible for skin pigmentation, causes individuals with darker skin to absorb less UV light, making vitamin D production from sunlight more challenging. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024

People with darker skin tones might also experience a temporary increase in pigmentation with retinoid use, says Dr. Asmi Sanghvi, a dermatologist at Bethany Medical Clinic in New York City and a clinical instructor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. —Jamie Friedlander Serrano, TIME, 17 Oct. 2024

Williams has short, black hair, a birthmark on his throat and skin pigmentation on his hands and legs, police said in their incident report. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024

My skin did start to appear more even and the stubborn pigmentation has definitely faded. —Lollie King, refinery29.com, 19 Sep. 2024

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