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

Food scientists have long been both fascinated and puzzled by the complex behaviors of edible foams and emulsions such as mayonnaise, ice cream. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 28 Jan. 2025

The texture feels a bit richer on the skin than some of the thinner formulas on this list—similar to a face lotion or emulsion—leaving skin soft and smooth. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2025

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

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

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