emulsion

noun

emul·​sion i-ˈməl-shən How to pronounce emulsion (audio)
1
a
: a system (such as fat in milk) consisting of a liquid dispersed with or without an emulsifier in an immiscible liquid usually in droplets of larger than colloidal size
b
: the state of such a system
2
: suspension sense 2b(3)
especially : a suspension of a sensitive silver salt or a mixture of silver halides in a viscous medium (such as a gelatin solution) forming a coating on photographic plates, film, or paper

Examples of emulsion in a Sentence

milk is basically an oil-in-water emulsion
Recent Examples on the Web Containerized plants may require fertilization several times during the year; an occasional liquid feeding with fish emulsion or seaweed, combined with application of slow-release Osmocote granules should keep your potted citrus happy. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2024 The dripping richness of beef fat was mimicked by an emulsion of mushroom tea and de-aromatized coconut fat. Pete Wells, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2024 The author was thinking about modern chemistry, which in various emulsions (or whatever they are called) has located substances and forms that in some ways behave like living matter. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Jan. 2024 Choose a balanced, all-purpose plant food ($22, Walmart), or a liquid fish emulsion ($15, The Home Depot). Deb Wiley, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2023 The artist, who divides her time between Brooklyn and Arlington, Va., holds a patent for cinematic paper emulsion, which recycles fibers into film stock. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023 Most mascaras are emulsions — a base of water and oil, plus pigments to darken, and a blend of starches, fibers, waxes, and film formers to add length and volume. Maura Lynch, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023 Room-temperature egg — the point of the egg step is to create an emulsion between the fat and the liquid here. New York Times, 17 Nov. 2023 The red velvet emulsion also offers a deeper, more natural looking hue than bright food coloring. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 24 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emulsion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin emulsion-, emulsio, from Latin emulgēre to milk out, from e- + mulgēre to milk; akin to Old English melcan to milk, Greek amelgein

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of emulsion was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near emulsion

Cite this Entry

“Emulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emulsion. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

emulsion

noun
emul·​sion i-ˈməl-shən How to pronounce emulsion (audio)
: a material consisting of a mixture of liquids that do not dissolve in each other and having droplets of one liquid scattered throughout the other
an emulsion of oil in water

Medical Definition

emulsion

noun
emul·​sion i-ˈməl-shən How to pronounce emulsion (audio)
1
a
: a system (as fat in milk) consisting of a liquid dispersed with or without an emulsifier in an immiscible liquid usually in droplets of larger than colloidal size
b
: the state of such a system
2
: suspension sense 2
especially : a suspension of a sensitive silver salt or a mixture of halides of silver in a viscous medium (as a gelatin solution) forming a coating on photographic plates, film, or paper
emulsive adjective

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