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

• 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

Their lionfish cakes, made with potato, coconut milk, poblano emulsion, and a panko crust, are a favorite. —Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

This can include scratching granular fertilizer into the soil around the base of your plants, watering with compost tea or fish emulsion, or top dressing with a fresh layer of compost—just be sure to pay attention to the specific needs of the different plants in your garden. —Mike Irvine, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2025

The carpaccio was an umami-bomb with egg yolk emulsion, pickled mustard seeds, briny capers and crispy shallots, gilded with tiny edible flowers. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 3 June 2025

Layer this with the other five pieces of the collection (a water, emulsion, ampoule, serum, and eye cream) for best results. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 May 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