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.
While the preservation process had affected the coloration of the shark, turning its normally dark brown skin lighter, many physical features remained intact and were carefully measured by the team, led by Maria J. Indurain of the Programa de Conservación de Tiburones, Universidad de Antofagasta. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025 Hublot has applied its expertise in material coloration to two models—the Big Bang Unico 42 mm and the Big Bang One Click 33 mm—that come bathed in soothing blue-green tones of ceramic, dubbed Petrol Blue and Mint Green. Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025 Leucistic animals may be mostly white or have patches of white coloration. Alice Jones Webb, Outdoor Life, 21 Mar. 2025 The spring launch of the Court debut in four mixed colorations, an army green, sand and orange; a gunmetal, grey and blue; a black and purple; and a black, white and lime. Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Coloration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coloration. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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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