resin

1 of 2

noun

res·​in ˈre-zᵊn How to pronounce resin (audio)
1
a
: any of various solid or semisolid amorphous fusible flammable natural organic substances that are usually transparent or translucent and yellowish to brown, are formed especially in plant secretions, are soluble in organic solvents (such as ether) but not in water, are electrical nonconductors, and are used chiefly in varnishes, printing inks, plastics, and sizes and in medicine
b
: rosin
2
a
: any of a large class of synthetic products that have some of the physical properties of natural resins but are different chemically and are used chiefly in plastics
b
: any of various products made from a natural resin or a natural polymer
resinous
ˈre-zᵊn-əs How to pronounce resin (audio)
ˈrez-nəs
adjective

resin

2 of 2

verb

resined; resining ˈre-zᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce resin (audio)
ˈrez-niŋ

transitive verb

: to treat with resin

Examples of resin 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.
Noun
Their watch bands are made of lightweight yet durable materials such as stainless steel, silicone, rubber, resin, or sometimes titanium. Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025 Embalmers had different recipes for preparing and preserving bodies depending on the era; the budget; the level of nobility and gender of the deceased; and the availability of ingredients such as plant resins, oils and other unguents that could preserve and perfume the remains. Sarah Everts, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
Next, consider the best shed material—options range from steel to resin to wood—for your home's climate. Adrienne Jordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2021 Not resin, not pine tar, not sunscreen, just Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud is permitted. Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 24 June 2021 See All Example Sentences for resin

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French reisine, from Latin resina; akin to Greek rhētinē pine resin

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of resin was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Resin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resin. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

resin

noun
res·​in
ˈrez-ᵊn
1
: any of various yellowish or brownish substances (as rosin) that are obtained from the gum or sap of some trees (as the pine) and are used in varnishes and plastics and in medicine
2
: any of various manufactured products that are similar to natural resins in properties and are used chiefly in plastics
resinous
ˈrez-nəs
-ᵊn-əs
adjective

Medical Definition

resin

noun
res·​in ˈrez-ᵊn How to pronounce resin (audio)
1
a
: any of various solid or semisolid amorphous fusible flammable natural organic substances that are usually transparent or translucent and yellowish to brown, are formed especially in plant secretions, are soluble in organic solvents (as ether) but not in water, and are electrical nonconductors
b
: rosin
c
: a solid pharmaceutical preparation consisting chiefly of the resinous principles of a drug or drugs usually extracted by solvents
resin of jalap
2
a
: any of a large class of synthetic products that have some of the physical properties of natural resins but are different chemically and are used chiefly in plastics
b
: any of various products made from a natural resin or a natural polymer

More from Merriam-Webster on resin

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