ge·la·ti·ni·za·tion
jə-ˌla-tə-nə-ˈzā-shən 
ˌje-lə-tə-
ˌje-lə-tə-
: the process of converting into a gelatinous form or into a jelly
ge·lat·i·nize
jəˈlatᵊnˌīz
ˈjelətə̇ˌnīz
-ed/-ing/-s
1
: to convert into a gelatinous form or into a jelly
strong heating with water gelatinizes starch
compare jelly
2
: to coat or treat with gelatin
: to become gelatinous or change into a jelly
Examples of gelatinization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 2 Feb. 2026
Many cultivars currently favored for food applications were chosen for their higher head rice yields and lower glycemic properties; the latter requires rice with higher amylose content and higher gelatinization temperatures—the exact opposite of what's needed for beer.
—ArsTechnica, 2 July 2025
Finally, starch gelatinization occurs, a chemical process that governs textural changes, so one's well-prepared spaghetti is al dente.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 16 Mar. 2022
This process is called gelatinization.
—Rachel Wharton, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2021
This process is known as gelatinization.
—Science Buddies, Scientific American, 16 Feb. 2012
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Noun
Longer cooking times increase starch gelatinization, which can raise glycemic response.
—Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 2 Feb. 2026
Many cultivars currently favored for food applications were chosen for their higher head rice yields and lower glycemic properties; the latter requires rice with higher amylose content and higher gelatinization temperatures—the exact opposite of what's needed for beer.
—ArsTechnica, 2 July 2025
Finally, starch gelatinization occurs, a chemical process that governs textural changes, so one's well-prepared spaghetti is al dente.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 16 Mar. 2022
This process is called gelatinization.
—Rachel Wharton, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2021
This process is known as gelatinization.
—Science Buddies, Scientific American, 16 Feb. 2012
Cite this Entry
“Gelatinization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gelatinization. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
gelatinization
noun
ge·la·ti·ni·za·tion
variants
or British gelatinisation
: the process of converting into a gelatinous form or into a jelly
gelatinize
verb
or British gelatinise
gelatinized or British gelatinised; gelatinizing or British gelatinising
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