microbead

noun

mi·​cro·​bead ˈmī-krō-ˌbēd How to pronounce microbead (audio)
plural microbeads
: a usually solid microsphere
Microbeads have been known to impart more than just a scrubbed-clean feeling to skin; the plastic particles, added to everything from cleansers to toothpastes, also pollute the planet's waterways and make their way up the food chain.Amy Marturana
… President Obama signed an act banning plastic microbeads from rinse-off cosmetics.Caity Weaver
In a move that sees a new biodegradable and natural microbead alternative hit the market, BASF has launched a new wax-based product.Lucy Whitehouse

Examples of microbead 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.
Nolah's weighted blanket is made with a bamboo cover that keeps you cool all night—and its glass microbead filling also keeps you comfortable without heating up. Jaylyn Pruitt, Health, 31 Jan. 2023

Word History

Etymology

micro- + bead entry 1

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of microbead was in 1957

Dictionary Entries Near microbead

Cite this Entry

“Microbead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microbead. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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