colloid
Americannoun
-
Physical Chemistry. a substance made up of a system of particles with linear dimensions in the range of about 10 −7 to 5 × 10 −5 centimeters dispersed in a continuous gaseous, liquid, or solid medium whose properties depend on the large specific surface area. The particles can be large molecules like proteins, or solid, liquid, or gaseous aggregates and they remain dispersed indefinitely.
-
Medicine/Medical. a colloidal substance in the body, as a stored secretion or a cyst.
adjective
noun
-
Also called: colloidal solution. colloidal suspension. a mixture having particles of one component, with diameters between 10 –7 and 10 –9 metres, suspended in a continuous phase of another component. The mixture has properties between those of a solution and a fine suspension
-
the solid suspended phase in such a mixture
-
obsolete a substance that in solution does not penetrate a semipermeable membrane Compare crystalloid
-
physiol a gelatinous substance of the thyroid follicles that holds the hormonal secretions of the thyroid gland
adjective
-
pathol of or relating to the gluelike translucent material found in certain degenerating tissues
-
of, denoting, or having the character of a colloid
-
A mixture in which very small particles of one substance are distributed evenly throughout another substance. The particles are generally larger than those in a solution, and smaller than those in a suspension. Paints, milk, and fog are colloids.
-
Compare solution suspension
Discover More
Fog, paints, and foam rubber are colloids.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of colloid
First recorded in 1840–50; from Greek kóll(a) “glue” + -oid
Vocabulary lists containing colloid
Chemistry - High School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Chemistry - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"Our far-reaching theory encompasses all systems evidencing such transverse interactions. Conceivable applications range from colloid research to biology," declares co-author Dr. Michael te Vrugt, Assistant Professor at the University of Mainz.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 21, 2025
In November, she underwent surgery after a colloid cyst was found earlier that month during a health check-up as part of her menopause advocacy work.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2025
The 57-year-old former Big Brother host revealed in November that a colloid cyst had been found during a health check-up as part of her menopause advocacy work.
From BBC ● Feb. 6, 2025
The follicles produce hormones that can be stored in the colloid or released into the surrounding capillary network for transport to the rest of the body via the circulatory system.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
We have already seen how the forces of crystallization are modified in colloid solutions.
From The Mechanism of Life by Leduc, Stéphane
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
