melamine
Americannoun
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a white, crystalline, slightly water-soluble solid, C 3 N 3 (NH2 ) 3 , used chiefly in organic synthesis and in the manufacture of resins, especially melamine resins.
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any of the melamine resins.
noun
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a colourless crystalline compound used in making synthetic resins; 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine. Formula: C 3 H 6 N 6
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melamine resin or a material made from this resin
Etymology
Origin of melamine
1825–35; < German Melamin, derivative of Melam distillate of ammonium thiocyanate (arbitrary coinage, but -am representing ammonium ); see -ine 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A study published in ACS Environmental Science & Technology suggests that melamine sponges could be a surprisingly large source of microplastic pollution.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 18, 2026
All over again, I was lining things up on its smooth and colorful melamine surface.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 1, 2026
Baby formula and pet food manufacturers have had to recall products containing melamine that caused kidney failure.
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2023
Certified International has some cool melamine choices, including their Medallion line, which has a cheery floral pattern, and comes in both cool and warm colorways.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 19, 2023
Ashima regrets that the plate on which the rice is heaped is melamine, not silver or brass or at the very least stainless-steel.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
