coloration

noun

col·​or·​a·​tion ˌkə-lə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce coloration (audio)
1
a
: the state of having color
the dark coloration of his skin
b
: use or choice of colors (as by an artist)
c
: arrangement of colors
the coloration of a butterfly's wing
2
a
: characteristic quality
the newspapers … took on the former coloration of the magazineL. B. Seltzer
b
: aspect suggesting an attitude
the chameleon talent for taking on the intellectual coloration of whatever idea he happened to fasten ontoBudd Schulberg
3
: subtle variation of intensity or quality of tone
a wide range of coloration from the orchestra

Examples of coloration in a Sentence

the coloration of a flower the bright yellow coloration of the curtains wine glasses with circle designs and blue and green colorations He attempted to give a religious coloration to the war.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
These colorations play a significant role in the survival of wildlife by functioning as a form of concealment, temperature regulation or communication. Elizabeth Carlen, Discover Magazine, 31 Oct. 2024 Sixty-five percent, that is—their estimate of the leaf coloration in this tree, a shock of red-orange in an area that, on just the second day of fall, is still mostly green. Benjamin Cassidy, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Oct. 2024 Dom Pérignon’s iconic shield emblem and Basquiat’s iconic three-pronged crown is a fitting design pairing, made all the more playful by Basquiat’s genius coloration. Zachary Schwartz, Vogue, 11 Oct. 2024 Comparing it with the second image in the series (below) — in which the young girl has one too many fingers — the puppy’s muzzle has a different coloration and the boat is a different shape and color. Lars Daniel, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for coloration 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Late Latin colōrātiōn-, colōrātiō, from Latin colōrāre "to color entry 2" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of coloration was in 1626

Dictionary Entries Near coloration

Cite this Entry

“Coloration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coloration. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

coloration

noun
col·​or·​ation
ˌkəl-ə-ˈrā-shən
1
: use or arrangement of colors or shades : coloring
study the coloration of a flower
2
: the state of having color
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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