polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpä-lə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units

polymeric

ˌpä-lə-ˈmer-ik 

adjective

polymerism

pə-ˈli-mə-ˌri-zəm  ˈpä-lə-mə- 

noun

polymerlike

ˈpä-lə-mər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of polymer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The device is essentially a sheet made of elastic polymer with magnetic microparticles embedded in it. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 14 Dec. 2024

One way of solving this is a technique known as expansion microscopy, in which the cell is filled with a polymer that expands when it is placed in water. —The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024

Many different plastic polymers are used, and different colors. —Michael Shank, Baltimore Sun, 1 Nov. 2024

The University of Akron's $7.1 million workforce initiative for the sustainable polymers industry is just taking shape, but some students are already well on their way to filling jobs. —Maria Curi, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, back-formation from polymeric, from Greek polymerēs having many parts, from poly- + meros part — more at merit entry 1

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing polymer

• high polymer

Kids Definition

polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds that is formed by combination of smaller molecules and consists basically of repeating structural units

polymeric

ˌpäl-ə-ˈmer-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units