mucilage

noun

mu·​ci·​lage ˈmyü-s(ə-)lij 

1

: a gelatinous substance of various plants (such as legumes or seaweeds) that contains protein and polysaccharides and is similar to plant gums

2

: an aqueous usually viscid solution (as of a gum) used especially as an adhesive

Examples of mucilage in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Historically, plant mucilage was used as a natural hair gel, and as an adhesive for paper stamps and labels. —Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 14 Jan. 2026

What is sea moss good for? Sea moss is high in mucilage (a sticky substance made by plants), which can soothe irritated membranes in the respiratory tract. —Tracy Achonwa, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2026

Okra Okra is known for its sticky mucilage, which works as a thickening agent for stews and gumbo. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 19 Sep. 2025

But lately, a lot of growers in Latin America and Africa have begun to try out natural process beans, fermenting some of the coffee berry sugars or mucilage. —Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 2 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English muscilage, from Late Latin mucilago mucus, musty juice, from Latin mucus

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

mucilage

noun

mu·​ci·​lage ˈmyü-s(ə-)lij 

1

: a jellylike substance of various plants (as seaweeds or cacti) that is similar to plant gums

2

: a water solution of a gum or similar substance used especially as an adhesive

Medical Definition

mucilage

noun

mu·​ci·​lage ˈmyü-s(ə-)lij 

1

: a gelatinous substance of various plants (as legumes or seaweeds) that contains protein and polysaccharides and is similar to plant gums

2

: an aqueous usually viscid solution (as of a gum) used in pharmacy as an excipient and in medicine as a demulcent