emulsion

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noun emul·sion \i-ˈməl-shən\

Definition of emulsion

1a : 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 sizeb : the state of such a system
2 : suspension 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

See emulsion defined for English-language learners

See emulsion defined for kids

Examples of emulsion in a Sentence

milk is basically an oil-in-water emulsion

Recent Examples of emulsion from the Web

Slices of raw hiramasa alternate with precisely cut radishes and are served with serrano chile emulsion and charred onion powder; a whole dry-aged Peking duck comes with arepas instead of Chinese pancakes.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Los Angeles Magazine Hot Restaurant List for July 2017," 18 July 2017
Different from traditional hairs masks, the high-powered product features a lightweight micro-emulsion formula that is sprayed directly onto the hair and then immediately washed out.

— atlanta life, ajc, "Three finds worth buying," 18 July 2017
This emulsion allows the oils in mayonnaise to stick to food, unlike plain oil.

— noelle carter, charlotteobserver, "Stop arguing about which mayonnaise and agree: It’s a great grilling tool," 3 July 2017
This emulsion allows the oils in mayonnaise to stick to food, unlike plain oil.

— noelle carter, The Seattle Times, "Grilling? Mayo may be your new best friend," 27 June 2017
Ko Won's line Lagom offers two — a lighter emulsion and a richer cream.

— sable yong, Allure, "Korean Makeup Artist, Ko Won Hye Breaks Down The Chok Chok K-Beauty Look," 22 June 2017
Delicate dishes like mushroom bread with onion blossoms and linseed oil as well as char topped with ash and a carrot emulsion.

— jessica jungbauer, Condé Nast Traveler, "Where to Eat in Berlin Right Now," 12 June 2017
Meanwhile, make the dressing: Whisk together lemon juice and red wine vinegar in a small bowl, and drizzle in the olive oil, whisking to make an emulsion.

— melissa d’arabian, The Seattle Times, "Grilled ratatouille has a lovely summertime char," 6 June 2017
Give them a shot of mixed fish emulsion and liquid seaweed.

— leslie land, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Garlic," 2 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of emulsion

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1612

See Words from the same year

Other Pictures (on film) Terms

daguerreotype, fill, sepia, still, stop

EMULSION Defined for English Language Learners

emulsion

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noun

Definition of emulsion for English Language Learners

: a mixture of liquids
: a thin coating on photographic film or paper that contains chemicals which are sensitive to light

EMULSION Defined for Kids

emulsion

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noun emul·sion \i-ˈməl-shən\

Definition of emulsion for Students

: two liquids mixed together so that tiny drops of one liquid are scattered throughout the other

Medical Dictionary

emulsion

play

noun emul·sion \i-ˈməl-shən\

Medical Definition of emulsion

1a: 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 sizeb: the state of such a system
2: suspension 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