polystyrene

noun

poly·​sty·​rene ˌpä-lē-ˈstī-ˌrēn How to pronounce polystyrene (audio)
: a polymer of styrene
especially : a rigid transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and electrical insulating properties and is used especially in molded products, foams, and sheet materials

Examples of polystyrene 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.
Today, the production of polystyrene produces more than 12.5 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, and 15 million metric tonnes are produced every year, with a less than 1% recycle rate. Jennifer Kite-Powell, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024 Abyssal microplastics appear to sink from the surface of the open ocean, and polystyrene particles increase the bioaccumulation of SSRIs in brine shrimp. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 June 2024 Starting Wednesday, users of polystyrene foam ware in California are required to show that at least 25 percent of the products are recycled or stop using them, a de facto ban given the paltry rate of recycling for plastic foam ware. George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024 The study found higher levels of toxic flame retardants in polystyrene plastic, which is labeled with the number 6, said Liu. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for polystyrene 

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polystyrene was in 1927

Dictionary Entries Near polystyrene

Cite this Entry

“Polystyrene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polystyrene. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

polystyrene

noun
poly·​sty·​rene ˌpäl-i-ˈstī(ə)r-ˌēn How to pronounce polystyrene (audio)
: a stiff transparent plastic used chiefly in molded products, foams, and sheet materials

Medical Definition

polystyrene

noun
poly·​sty·​rene ˌpäl-i-ˈstī(ə)r-ˌēn How to pronounce polystyrene (audio)
: a polymer of styrene
especially : a rigid transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and electrical insulating properties and is used especially in molded products, foams, and sheet materials

More from Merriam-Webster on polystyrene

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