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pixel

n. · v.
US //ˈpɪksəɫ// UK //pˈɪksəl// pix·el
  1. 1 a dot of color (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Technical Computing

    one of the tiny dots of color that make up an image on a screen.

    the smallest addressable element in a raster image or on a display device.

    Example

    If you look very closely at your phone screen, you can almost see the individual pixels.

    Example

    Modern high-resolution displays pack millions of pixels into a small area, making the transition between colors appear perfectly smooth to the human eye.
  2. 2 a unit of measurement (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    a unit used to measure the size or sharpness of a screen or digital image.

    a unit of linear or area measurement used to define the resolution of digital displays and graphic files.

    Example

    The designer resized the logo to be exactly 200 pixels wide.

    Example

    The developer adjusted the CSS to ensure the container width was defined in pixels rather than percentages for more precise layout control.
    • px
  3. 3 to edit at the pixel level (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    to create or change a digital image by working on each tiny dot one by one.

    to create, manipulate, or edit digital graphics at the level of individual pixels, often associated with 'pixel art'.

    Example

    She spent hours carefully pixeling the character for her retro-style video game.

    Example

    The artist preferred pixeling by hand rather than using automated filters to achieve a more authentic 8-bit aesthetic for the project.

Idioms1 entry
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Last updated June 20, 2026