emulsion

noun

emul·​sion i-ˈməl-shən 

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

Synonyms of emulsion

• mixture
• alloy
• blend
• mix
• amalgam
• amalgamation
• combination

Examples of emulsion in a Sentence

milk is basically an oil-in-water emulsion

Recent Examples on the Web

To combat that, add finished compost (to boost those microbe levels) or use a liquid product like fish emulsion that is more immediately usable by plants. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026

There’s also a soundtrack by the indie-rock group Mogwai, a sonic emulsion of dreamy, amplified guitars and semi-industrial drones, but this music cuts in and out, so the mood remains fractured. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026

The resort’s second restaurant, Che Che, combines Mexican and Asian flavors in dishes such as crispy conchita gyozas, tostadas with akami and masago, and rib-eye tacos with an avocado and wasabi emulsion. — Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Treat with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer like fish emulsion or a water-soluble fertilizer. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 July 2026

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

Rhymes for emulsion

• avulsion
• compulsion
• convulsion
• expulsion
• impulsion
• propulsion
• repulsion
• revulsion
• microemulsion

Kids Definition

emulsion

noun

emul·​sion i-ˈməl-shən 

: 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 

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

-ˈməl-siv 

adjective