coloration

noun

col·​or·​a·​tion ˌkə-lə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce coloration (audio)
Synonyms of colorationnext
1
a
: the state of having color
the coloration of the skin from a bruise
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 magazines …—L. B. Seltzer
b
: aspect suggesting an attitude
… the chameleon talent for taking on the intellectual coloration of whatever idea he happened to fasten onto.—Budd 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.
Like other outdoor plants, coleus requires several hours of full, direct sun each day to grow properly, maintain its coloration, and eventually bloom. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026 The researchers reported effective coloration with fewer auxiliary chemicals and said the medium could be recovered after dyeing. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026 If the coloration is uneven, your food could cook unevenly as well. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Aug. 2026 When to Pick Jalapeños Based on Planting Time Jalapeños get their heat from capsanthin, which is a pigmented antioxidant that develops as peppers ripen and gives fully mature jalapeños their bright reddish coloration. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing coloration

Rhymes for coloration

See All Rhymes for coloration

Browse Nearby Words

colorant
coloration
colorational
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coloration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coloration. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on coloration

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for coloration

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coloration

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