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

The Great Red Spot seems to wiggle like a bowl of gelatin over the 90-day period. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 11 Oct. 2024

In the scene, Lex tries her best not to make any sudden movements after realizing that Velociraptors are approaching — leading to the spoon of gelatin in her hand beginning to tremble wildly as the camera zooms in on her terrified face. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 3 Oct. 2024

The black-and-white gelatin silver prints are presented on a modest scale that strikes the perfect balance between intimacy and immediacy. —Shameekia Shantel Johnson, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2024

Stir into lemon gelatin until slightly thickened; remove any unmelted ice. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024

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

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