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

But desserts like it, ones that use gelatin and pudding mixes, were at their peak of popularity in the mid-20th century, several years before the Watergate scandal that brought down President Richard Nixon. —Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025

The researchers tried adding emulsifiers and later gelatin from the skin and bones of the birds, but the consistency was off. —Ari Daniel, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025

Other dyes permitted by the FDA include Red No. 40, used in cereals, gelatins and puddings; Yellow No. 5, used in snacks, condiments, baked goods and yogurt; and Green No. 3, used in ice cream, sherbet and drink mixers. —Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 23 Mar. 2025

Researchers believe these benefits came from the gelatin, omega-3s, and antioxidants derived from salmon.6 Further research in humans is needed to confirm these results. —Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Rd, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2025

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