hydrocolloid

noun

hy·​dro·​col·​loid ˌhī-drə-ˈkä-ˌlȯid How to pronounce hydrocolloid (audio)
: a substance that yields a gel with water
hydrocolloidal
ˌhī-drə-kə-ˈlȯi-dᵊl How to pronounce hydrocolloid (audio)
-kä-
adjective

Examples of hydrocolloid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pimple patches containing a gel called hydrocolloid can absorb fluids from oozing pimples and stop you from picking at them. — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 The hydrocolloid stickers work overnight to help shrink blemishes and speed up healing. — Brooke Knappenberger, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026 Effective, but not prescribed much anymore since the invention of hydrocolloid bandages. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026 Cofounder Jihye Shin said the product grew out of customers using the brand’s original hydrocolloid bandages on bug bites. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hydrocolloid

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydrocolloid was in 1916

Rhymes for hydrocolloid

See All Rhymes for hydrocolloid

Browse Nearby Words

hydrocoele
hydrocolloid
Hydrocol process
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hydrocolloid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydrocolloid. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

hydrocolloid

noun
hy·​dro·​col·​loid -ˈkäl-ˌȯid How to pronounce hydrocolloid (audio)
: any of several substances that yield gels with water (as alginic acid salts, agar, carrageenan, and related polysaccharide gums) and that are used especially as protective colloids and as impression materials in dentistry
hydrocolloidal
-kə-ˈlȯid-ᵊl, -kä- How to pronounce hydrocolloid (audio)
adjective
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