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
Recent Examples on the Web
Our draft recommendations are based on the best available science to help address concerns of disparate performance of pulse oximeters based on an individual's skin pigmentation.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
After consulting her dermatologist, Simpson-Einziger was diagnosed with a temporary fungal infection called Tinea versicolor, which can lighten or darken skin pigmentation as a result of humidity.
—Lindzi Scharf, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024
Harlow, born Chantelle Brown-Young, was diagnosed with vitiligo, an incurable skin pigmentation disease that causes colorless patches to develop on a person’s body, at the age of four.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
Glycolic acid is another ingredient that helps increase cell turnover, which aids in pigmentation improvement.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pigmentation
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Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025
After consulting her dermatologist, Simpson-Einziger was diagnosed with a temporary fungal infection called Tinea versicolor, which can lighten or darken skin pigmentation as a result of humidity.
—Lindzi Scharf, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024
Harlow, born Chantelle Brown-Young, was diagnosed with vitiligo, an incurable skin pigmentation disease that causes colorless patches to develop on a person’s body, at the age of four.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
Glycolic acid is another ingredient that helps increase cell turnover, which aids in pigmentation improvement.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Feb. 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 9 Mar. 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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