What does the term "pixel" refer to?

The term "pixel" refers to the smallest unit of a digital image. In digital images, pixels are the individual points of color that collectively form a complete image when viewed as a whole. Each pixel can represent a certain color or shade, and when combined, they create the visual representation seen on screens. This unit is fundamental in digital graphics because the resolution of an image is often described in terms of the number of pixels; for example, an image that is 1920 by 1080 pixels has a total of 2,073,600 pixels. Understanding that pixels are specific to the digital realm helps clarify their role in graphic design and how they differ from elements in print media, which operate on a different basis involving resolution and dimensions.