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

• admixture
• alloy
• amalgam
• amalgamation
• blend
• cocktail
• combination
• composite
• compound
• conflation
• fusion
• intermixture
• meld
• mix
• mixture
• synthesis

Examples of emulsion in a Sentence

milk is basically an oil-in-water emulsion

Recent Examples on the Web

The unusual materials, interacting with emulsion, and oil and acrylic paints, borrow from Post-Impressionist exploration of light and color to depict the verisimilitude of nature. —Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

By blending cellulose nanofibers from wood with zein protein from corn, the scientists developed an emulsion. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 23 Mar. 2025

As Ku and her team explain, Pickering emulsions lower interfacial energy by covering the interface of water and oil with solid nanoparticles (NPs) instead of using molecular surfactants. —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2025

In cosmetics or food, emulsions (like mayo) typically need surfactants (chemicals that help oil and water mix). —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 22 Mar. 2025

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