gelatin

noun

gel·​a·​tin ˈje-lə-tən How to pronounce gelatin (audio)
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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The officials sprinted to get off the field, the Aztecs swarmed the field as Utah players stood in stunned silence. Making sense of it all turned brains into gelatin. San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Sep. 2021 When researchers halve one of the bricks, the bacteria can help grow those halves into two complete bricks when supplied with extra sand and gelatin. Charles Choi, Discover Magazine, 21 Jan. 2020 They’re gluten-free but not vegan friendly, because of the gelatin. al, 31 Mar. 2021 Such diets exclude animal products, including meat, fish, eggs, dairy, whey, honey and gelatin. Robin Goist, cleveland, 1 Jan. 2022 Those last two items have led some candy corn detractors to note that candy corn is made of animal hides and bones, like Jello gelatin. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2021 Black-and-white photographic film is made up of light sensitive silver halide suspended in gelatin. Popular Science, 11 Nov. 2020 The one that melts the competition earns an advantage during the main heat, where the bakers are tasked with creating a cake with a gelatin water feature. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 5 Apr. 2023 Stir until gelatin has dissolved. Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gelatin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gelatin was in 1800

Dictionary Entries Near gelatin

Cite this Entry

“Gelatin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gelatin. Accessed 30 May. 2023.

Kids Definition

gelatin

noun
gel·​a·​tin
variants also gelatine
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on gelatin

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