polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpä-lə-mər How to pronounce polymer (audio)
: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units
polymeric adjective
polymerlike adjective

Examples of polymer 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.
Cancer-Causing 'Forever Chemicals' Found in Many Kinds of Contact Lenses, Study Finds The issue, the statement says, comes from a synthetic polymer called fluoroelastomer, which is used to make the bands resistant to sweat and oil. Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025 In the world of chemistry, getting polymers (long chains of large molecules) to form mechanical bonds inside their structures has proven extremely challenging. Michael Franco, New Atlas, 17 Jan. 2025 These hubs focus on a broad range of strategic sectors, including critical materials, sustainable polymers, precision medicine and medical devices. Mark Zachary Taylor, The Conversation, 15 Jan. 2025 Most prominently, sulfates (a surfactant that creates a bubbly lather) and silicones (a polymer that creates a shiny, smooth film on hair) have gotten a bad rap due mostly to the clean beauty movement, which really took off in the early 2010s and peaked nearly a decade later. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for polymer 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of polymer was in 1866

Dictionary Entries Near polymer

Cite this Entry

“Polymer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymer. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

polymer

noun
poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər How to pronounce polymer (audio)
: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds that is formed by combination of smaller molecules and consists basically of repeating structural units
polymeric adjective

Medical Definition

polymer

noun
poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər How to pronounce polymer (audio)
: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units

More from Merriam-Webster on polymer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!