1. present participle of pinken; becoming pink or taking on a pink color
Usage: informal; often used in cooking or food preparation contexts

1. the process or act of becoming pink in color
Usage: informal; commonly used in culinary contexts to describe meat cooking stages

Examples

• The salmon was pinkening nicely as it cooked in the oven.
• Watch for the pinkening of the meat before removing it from heat.
• The sky was pinkening as the sun began to set.
• She noticed the pinkening of the fabric after washing it.
• The chef preferred pinkening the tuna rather than cooking it through completely.
• As the sun rose, the clouds were pinkening with the first light of dawn.