colloid

noun

col·​loid ˈkä-ˌlȯid How to pronounce colloid (audio)
1
: a gelatinous or mucinous substance found normally in the thyroid and also in diseased tissue
2
a
: a substance that consists of particles dispersed throughout another substance which are too small for resolution (see resolution sense 6a) with an ordinary light microscope but are incapable of passing through a semipermeable membrane
b
: a mixture consisting of a colloid together with the medium in which it is dispersed
smoke is a colloid
colloidal adjective
colloidally adverb

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Cocoa powder mixed in with your milk is a colloid—a type of mixture in which solid particles are dispersed throughout a fluid. Mai Nguyen, Discover Magazine, 14 Dec. 2015 Ice cream is a colloid, or a solution that is comprised of two insoluble materials with one dispersed throughout the other. Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2017 The idea is to use a colloid of (at least) two types of nanoparticles (A and B) contained in a reservoir. Tom Coughlin, Forbes, 20 May 2022 In the colloidal memory system, shown below, liquid (e.g., water) can be used as the volumetric storage medium and dissolved nanoparticles (the colloid) as carriers of the data symbols. Tom Coughlin, Forbes, 20 May 2022 Cave underwent emergency surgery Tuesday, a removal of a colloid cyst that was causing pressure on his brain. CBS News, 11 Apr. 2020 Following the incident, Hall was taken to a hospital, where doctors found a colloid cyst on his brain. Nick Vadala, Philly.com, 8 Jan. 2018 Cargo aboard the Space X Dragon resupply mission will include NASA Glenn Research Center experiments on colloids that are 1/100th the diameter of human hair. Sabrina Eaton, cleveland.com, 15 Dec. 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'colloid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary coll- + -oid

First Known Use

circa 1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of colloid was circa 1852

Dictionary Entries Near colloid

Cite this Entry

“Colloid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colloid. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

colloid

noun
col·​loid ˈkäl-ˌȯid How to pronounce colloid (audio)
: a very finely divided substance which is scattered throughout another substance
also : a mixture consisting of such a substance together with the substance in which it is scattered (as in smoke, gelatin, or marshmallow)
colloidal adjective

Medical Definition

colloid

noun
col·​loid ˈkäl-ˌȯid How to pronounce colloid (audio)
1
: a gelatinous or mucinous substance found in tissues in disease or normally (as in the thyroid)
2
a
: a substance consisting of particles that are dispersed throughout another substance and are too small for resolution with an ordinary light microscope but are incapable of passing through a semipermeable membrane
b
: a mixture (as smoke) consisting of a colloid together with the medium in which it is dispersed
colloidal adjective
colloidally adverb

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