leucism
noun
leu·cism
ˈlü-ˌsi-zəm 
: an abnormal condition of reduced pigmentation affecting various animals (such as birds, mammals, and reptiles) that is marked by overall pale color or patches of reduced coloring and is caused by a genetic mutation which inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair, or skin
Examples of leucism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An animal with leucism experiences a partial loss of pigmentation.
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Samuel Sanders, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024
Last year, Wyoming’s Bear River State Park saw the birth of another white bison—this animal’s coloration likely comes from cattle genes mixed into its lineage rather than albinism or leucism, and its mother is also a pale white hue.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2024
Two genetic variations, leucism and albinism, account for an unusually light-colored animal.
—Matthew Brown, arkansasonline.com, 16 June 2024
According to the National Wild Turkey Foundation, a smoke phase turkey results from an unusual recessive condition known as leucism that affects the pigmentation of the birds’ feathers.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for leucism 
Samuel Sanders, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Sep. 2024
Last year, Wyoming’s Bear River State Park saw the birth of another white bison—this animal’s coloration likely comes from cattle genes mixed into its lineage rather than albinism or leucism, and its mother is also a pale white hue.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 June 2024
Two genetic variations, leucism and albinism, account for an unusually light-colored animal.
—Matthew Brown, arkansasonline.com, 16 June 2024
According to the National Wild Turkey Foundation, a smoke phase turkey results from an unusual recessive condition known as leucism that affects the pigmentation of the birds’ feathers.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for leucism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leucism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Leucism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leucism. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
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