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

Practical Realities What makes Solius quietly radical is not its $2,999 pricetag or its app, but the simple recognition that the human body was never designed to receive its most essential hormone exclusively through a gelatin capsule. — Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Microwave ½ cup heavy cream in a small microwave-safe bowl until steaming, then add to gelatin mixture and stir until gelatin is melted. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026

The two are not interchangeable, and findings from gelatin tannate studies should not be applied to dietary gelatin. — Abby Norman, Verywell Health, 28 July 2026

Whip cream just until soft peaks form; fold into gelatin mixture. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 July 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