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

From airy emulsions and shimmering sabayons to seductive béarnaise and brooding demi-glace, classic French sauces are reappearing—not just in fine dining restaurants and traditional bistros, but also in natural wine bars and small-plate restaurants. —Joel Hart, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025

Keep coleus happy with fish emulsion, which contains only 4-5% nitrogen, or another low-analysis fertilizer. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 2 Oct. 2025

The menu features a world of escabeche dishes; gooseberry sea bass crudo, and sardine empanada with piparra emulsion. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2025

The secret to the makeup product’s staying power is found in a unique water-in-oil emulsion that fuses a thin film of color onto the skin. —Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Aug. 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