gelatin

noun

gel·​a·​tin ˈje-lə-tən 

variants or less commonly gelatine

1

: glutinous material obtained from animal tissues by boiling

especially : a colloidal protein used as a food, in photography, and in medicine

2

a

: any of various substances (such as agar) resembling gelatin

b

: an edible jelly made with gelatin

3

: gel sense 2

Examples of gelatin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Colloids are created when small particles are dispersed in another material — for example, gelatin is a colloidal solid, mayonnaise is a colloidal liquid and fog is a colloidal gas. —Carrie Arnold, Quanta Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025

Continue microwaving and stirring in 10-second intervals until gelatin is dissolved. —Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Apr. 2025

Reactions to other foods that come from animals, such as dairy or gelatins, also can occur. —Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025

Research shows gelatin may have several benefits, including in injury prevention and tissue repair. —Vicky Hallett, NPR, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French gélatine edible jelly, gelatin, from Italian gelatina, from gelato, past participle of gelare to freeze, from Latin — more at cold

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gelatin

• skeleton
• cytoskeleton
• exoskeleton

Kids Definition

gelatin

noun

gel·​a·​tin

variants also gelatine

ˈjel-ət-ᵊn 

1

: gummy or sticky protein obtained by boiling animal tissues and used as food, in photography, and in medicine

2

: an edible jelly formed with gelatin

3

: a thin colored transparent sheet used to color a stage light

Medical Definition

gelatin

noun

gel·​a·​tin

variants also gelatine

ˈjel-ət-ən 

1

: glutinous material obtained from animal tissues by boiling

especially : a colloidal protein used as a food, in photography, and in medicine

2

a

: any of various substances (as agar) resembling gelatin

b

: an edible jelly made with gelatin