emulsion

noun

emul·​sion i-ˈməl-shən How to pronounce emulsion (audio)
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

Examples of emulsion in a Sentence

milk is basically an oil-in-water emulsion
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for emulsion

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of emulsion was in 1612

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emulsion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emulsion. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

emulsion

noun
emul·​sion i-ˈməl-shən How to pronounce emulsion (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce emulsion (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on emulsion

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