terephthalate

noun

tere·​phthal·​ate ˌter-ə(f)-ˈtha-ˌlāt How to pronounce terephthalate (audio)
: a salt or ester of terephthalic acid
especially : a dimethyl-ester that is a major starting material for polyester fibers and coatings

Examples of terephthalate 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.
To meet minimum order quantities, the volume target of bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate—or BHET, for short—had to reach 3,000 kilograms, requiring a large amount of feedstock that needed resizing to meet specific dimensions for Garbo’s feeding system. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 1 Nov. 2024 The plastics most commonly used in packaging are polyethylene (of various densities), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and, to a lesser extent, polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Alex Whiting, WIRED, 20 May 2022 Researchers found that air samples taken from the playful marine mammals’ blow holes contained plastic polymer fibers and particles — including polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, or PET (the plastic used to make water bottles, string cheese wrappers and microwavable food trays). Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024 The microplastics included polymers—chemical compounds that form plastic—such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a component of plastic packaging like water bottles. Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for terephthalate 

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of terephthalate was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near terephthalate

Cite this Entry

“Terephthalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terephthalate. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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