emulsion

noun emul·sion \ i-ˈməl-shən \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 2018

Definition of emulsion

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 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

Mackerel pickled in rhubarb juice and presented on a bed of potato with an herb emulsion and crispy barley was bracingly good, the fruity acidity brightening the oceanic tones of the fish.

— alexander lobrano, New York Times, "New New Nordic Cuisine Takes Hold in Oslo," 29 May 2018
Fertilize with compost tea or fish emulsion when the plants have four true leaves.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow The Tastiest Spinach," 15 Feb. 2018
When the mains arrived my partner gleefully tucked into a cod roasted in butter fraternizing with a variety of clams; it was accompanied by a foamy garlic emulsion and laid atop a bed of fregola sarda, a small, round Italian pasta.

— New York Times, "A Young Chef Swims Up-Seine in Paris," 5 May 2018
Once your plants start to form tiny heads, feed with a liquid fish emulsion fertilizer.

— arricca sansone, Country Living, "How to Grow Broccoli," 25 Apr. 2018
Phil Coombes, landlord of the Prince of Wales pub, hasn’t heard from 15-year-old Joe, an apprentice painter with Mike Yates and Sons, a firm that’s been contracted to apply a fire-retardant emulsion to buildings at government airfields.

— marilyn stasio, New York Times, "Child Sleuths and Child Victims," 30 Mar. 2018
Crouch said he's known for cooking outside of the box, and his fish dishes — served with a black garlic mirin emulsion and fresh seaweed — will stay on brand.

— bailey loosemore, The Courier-Journal, "$300 mushrooms might be a risk. But for Kentucky Derby, Louisville chefs hold nothing back," 17 Apr. 2018
Use an emulsion blend to create a smooth and velvety soup consistency or pour small quantities into an electric blend until the same results are archived.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "Carrots are a colorful ingredient addition for any season," 30 Mar. 2018
After the wood vaporizes, the mixture is allowed to cool, forming an emulsion (a sort of mixture) of water, acidic oil, and sugars.

— chris lee, Ars Technica, "Lumber’s lure: Thanks to physics, viable biofuel may grow in the woods," 5 Apr. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

emulsion Synonyms

Other Pictures (on film) Terms

daguerreotype, fill, sepia, still, stop

EMULSION Defined for English Language Learners

emulsion

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

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

noun emul·sion \ i-ˈməl-shən \

medical Definition of emulsion

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 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

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