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

Made from a digestible mixture of cellulose, gelatin, and molybdenum or tungsten, the capsule works as a tiny Faraday cage, blocking RF communication. —New Atlas, 28 Jan. 2026

Mix 2 envelopes unflavored powdered gelatin (about 1 Tbsp. —Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Microwave with the gelatin for 20 seconds or until gelatin is fully dissolved. —Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Jan. 2026

Further to that, the team also made good use of gelatin (the same protein in collagen). —Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 11 Jan. 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