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
Bauer has vitiligo, an uncommon skin condition among humans and animals that causes skin to lose its natural pigmentation.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Similar to Rare’s original Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, Bouncy Blush has jaw-dropping pigmentation with a matte finish.
—The Glamour Editors, Glamour, 12 June 2025
Keeping the area clean, moisturized, and protected from the sun helps prevent complications like scarring or pigmentation changes.
—Marie Lodi, Allure, 1 June 2025
The scientists found that in orange cats' melanocytes – the pigmentation cells – the gene ARHGAP36 was more active, and all had the missing piece of code.
—New Atlas, 24 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pigmentation
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.
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Similar to Rare’s original Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, Bouncy Blush has jaw-dropping pigmentation with a matte finish.
—The Glamour Editors, Glamour, 12 June 2025
Keeping the area clean, moisturized, and protected from the sun helps prevent complications like scarring or pigmentation changes.
—Marie Lodi, Allure, 1 June 2025
The scientists found that in orange cats' melanocytes – the pigmentation cells – the gene ARHGAP36 was more active, and all had the missing piece of code.
—New Atlas, 24 May 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 19 Jul. 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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share