emulsion

noun

emul·​sion i-ˈməl-shən 

1

a

: a system (such as fat in milk) consisting of a liquid dispersed with or without an emulsifier in an immiscible liquid usually in droplets of larger than colloidal size

b

: the state of such a system

2

: suspension sense 2b(3)

especially : a suspension of a sensitive silver salt or a mixture of silver halides in a viscous medium (such as a gelatin solution) forming a coating on photographic plates, film, or paper

Synonyms

• admixture
• alloy
• amalgam
• amalgamation
• blend
• cocktail
• combination
• composite
• compound
• conflation
• fusion
• intermixture
• meld
• mix
• mixture
• synthesis

Examples of emulsion in a Sentence

milk is basically an oil-in-water emulsion

Recent Examples on the Web

Typically, Caesar’s creamy texture is built from the emulsion of oil, egg yolks, and vinegar. —Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 13 Feb. 2025

Specials include Oysters & Caviar – four local oysters, crème fraiche, passion fruit emulsion, paddlefish caviar and chive oil for $35, Roasted Oysters with charcoal butter, parsnip aioli and ponzu for $23 and Lobster Risotto with Brussels sprouts, red curry and tarragon butter for $65. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2025

The emulsion, on the other hand, nourishes the epidermis, sealing in moisture and reinforcing the skin’s barrier. —Marie Courtois, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025

Mack: My biggest quibble was with that sauce, listed on the menu as a potato-leek emulsion. —Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin emulsion-, emulsio, from Latin emulgēre to milk out, from e- + mulgēre to milk; akin to Old English melcan to milk, Greek amelgein

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

emulsion

noun

emul·​sion i-ˈməl-shən 

: a material consisting of a mixture of liquids that do not dissolve in each other and having droplets of one liquid scattered throughout the other

an emulsion of oil in water

Medical Definition

emulsion

noun

emul·​sion i-ˈməl-shən 

1

a

: a system (as fat in milk) consisting of a liquid dispersed with or without an emulsifier in an immiscible liquid usually in droplets of larger than colloidal size

b

: the state of such a system

2

: suspension sense 2

especially : a suspension of a sensitive silver salt or a mixture of halides of silver in a viscous medium (as a gelatin solution) forming a coating on photographic plates, film, or paper

emulsive

-ˈməl-siv 

adjective