polycarbonate

American  

[pol-ee-kahr-buh-neyt, -nit] / ˌpɒl iˈkɑr bəˌneɪt, -nɪt /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a synthetic thermoplastic resin, a linear polymer of carbonic acid, used for molded products, films, and nonbreakable windows.

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polycarbonate British  

/ -nɪt, ˌpɒlɪˈkɑːbəˌneɪt /

noun

1. any of a class of strong transparent thermoplastic resins used in moulding materials, laminates, etc

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Etymology

Origin of polycarbonate

poly- + carbonate

Example Sentences

Constructed of 3D-printed polycarbonate resin and aluminum, with a wide amp frequency range of 20Hz to 25KHz, the object looks less like a speaker and more like a relic of time.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

From the Escalade IQ it borrows its two-box SUV proportions, pinstriped black polycarbonate physiogamy and the stacked LED headlamps.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 1, 2026

The screens are laminated polycarbonate and were implemented several years ago to protect drivers from debris.

From Washington Times • Jul. 1, 2023

The new features include personal information engraved with lasers instead of printed in ink on its polycarbonate data page, a design that has strong anti-fraud components.

From Reuters • May 10, 2023

“These are ballistic level-three glass-clad polycarbonate windows, and the bathroom walls are reinforced steel with armor plating. If things go pear-shaped, that’s where you hide.”

From "City Spies" by James Ponti