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

But edibles and drinks contain plenty of other ingredients like water and gelatin. —Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 19 Feb. 2026

At WildCat Ridge Sanctuary in Scotts Mills, Oregon, people can donate $100 to have an ex-partner’s name placed on a gelatin heart made with meat and nutrients. —Julian Torres, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026

Most capsules are made of gelatin, though vegetable cellulose options are becoming more popular. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026

Take the pan off the heat, then stir in the softened gelatin. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026

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