noun
Uncommon
pixel
PIHK-suhl
Pixel (noun) means one of the tiny individual dots that together make up a digital image or screen display. Example: “Zoom in far enough on any photo and you'll see the individual pixels.”
noun
1
One of the tiny individual dots that together make up a digital image or screen display.
"We have chosen to sample at a 500 KC rate and we define each one of these samples as a picture element or pixel. We have sampled each pixel with 6-bit accuracy which is commensurate with the signal/noise ratio and the data accuracy."
— Fred C. Billingsley, Digital Video Processing at JPL (1965)
"Zoom in far enough on any photo and you'll see the individual pixels."
"The new monitor packs millions more pixels into the same size screen."
How to use pixel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe smallest single dot of color that makes up a digital picture or screen.
Common pairings
pixel density
dead pixel
per pixel
pixel art
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like pixel.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- pixels
- Third person singular
- pixels
- Past tense
- pixeled, pixelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Zoom in far enough on any photo and you'll see the individual _____.
Etymology
A blend of "pic(ture)" and "element" — first used in the 1960s.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “pixel” mean?
The word “pixel” means one of the tiny individual dots that together make up a digital image or screen display. In plain terms, the smallest single dot of color that makes up a digital picture or screen.
How do you pronounce “pixel”?
“Pixel” is pronounced PIHK-suhl (/ˈpɪk.səl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pixel” in a sentence?
Here is “pixel” used in a sentence: “Zoom in far enough on any photo and you'll see the individual pixels.”
What is another word for “pixel”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pixel” include pel, pictel and px.
What part of speech is “pixel”?
“Pixel” is a noun.
Where does the word “pixel” come from?
The word “pixel” dates back to around 1960. A blend of "pic(ture)" and "element" — first used in the 1960s.
Is “pixel” a common word?
“Pixel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a pixel and a resolution?
A pixel is a single tiny dot of color or light that makes up part of a digital image or screen. Resolution describes the total number of pixels displayed, usually given as width by height, such as 1920 by 1080.
Why do images look blurry when they have low pixel counts?
When an image has fewer pixels relative to its display size, each pixel must be stretched larger to fill the space, making individual dots visible and edges look blocky or blurry. Higher pixel counts allow finer detail because more dots are available to represent the image.
What is a megapixel?
A megapixel is a unit equal to one million pixels, commonly used to describe the resolution of digital cameras and image sensors. A camera described as "12 megapixels" captures images made up of roughly twelve million individual pixels.
