Bakelite

American  

[bey-kuh-lahyt, beyk-lahyt] / ˈbeɪ kəˌlaɪt, ˈbeɪk laɪt /

Trademark.

1. a brand name for any of a series of thermosetting plastics prepared by heating phenol or cresol with formaldehyde and ammonia under pressure: used for radio cabinets, telephone receivers, electric insulators, and molded plastic ware.

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Bakelite British  

/ ˈbeɪkəˌlaɪt /

noun

1. any one of a class of thermosetting resins used as electric insulators and for making plastic ware, telephone receivers, etc

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Etymology

Origin of Bakelite

C20: named after L. H. Baekeland (1863–1944), Belgian-born US inventor; see _-ite ¹

Example Sentences

Enck's book traces the history of plastic: from its earliest incarnation in 1909, when Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland invented Bakelite, through the "myth" of plastic recycling promoted by industry from the mid-20th century onward.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

During her recent lecture on Bakelite, Bauer brought the candlestick telephone from her apartment and discussed the history of the plastic material.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2025

"I looked on YouTube for any tutorials on how to get the film out of it," said Sarah, adding the camera's body is made of card and mounted on a Bakelite frame.

From BBC • May 27, 2024

Tariff Commission counted 1.6 million pounds of coal-tar resins like Bakelite produced a decade later, in 1921, swelling to 34.2 million by 1931 and 141 million a few years after that.

From Washington Post • Jan. 14, 2022

She could imagine herself hurrying down now to her bedroom, to a clean block of lined paper and her marbled, Bakelite fountain pen.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan