polyester

[ pol-ee-es-ter, pol-ee-es-ter ]

/ ˈpɒl iˌɛs tər, ˌpɒl iˈɛs tər /

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noun

Chemistry. a polymer in which the monomer units are linked together by the group –COO–, usually formed by polymerizing a polyhydric alcohol with a polybasic acid: used chiefly in the manufacture of resins, plastics, and textile fibers.

Also called poly. a fabric made from such textile fibers.

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Origin of polyester

First recorded in 1925–30; poly- + ester

OTHER WORDS FROM polyester

pol·y·es·ter·i·fi·ca·tion

[pol-ee-es-ter-uh-fi-key-shuhn], /ˌpɒl iˌɛs tər ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən/, noun

Words nearby polyester

polyembryony, polyendocrine deficiency syndrome, polyene, polyenoic acid, polyergic, polyester, polyesthesia, polyestrous, polyethene, polyether, polyethnic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use polyester in a sentence

Avoid polyester, rayon, and acrylic fabrics, and instead, turn your attention to the benefits of cotton.
Best weighted blanket: Sleep like a baby with our comfy bedding picks|PopSci Commerce Team|February 12, 2021|Popular-Science
The leather is made from Swedish elkskin and the gloves are lined in a soft polyester knit.
Best winter gloves: Our picks for touch screen gloves, ski gloves, and more|PopSci Commerce Team|February 2, 2021|Popular-Science
Note, however, that not all polyester fleece linings are created equal.
The Best Fleece-Lined Pants for the Outdoors|Wes Siler|January 15, 2021|Outside Online
It’s made out of soft, lightweight polyester and features classic Zelda characters and and game icons.
Stylish and sophisticated scarves that everyone will love|PopSci Commerce Team|January 13, 2021|Popular-Science

Some pillows are advertised as being made of synthetic down, which means they’re filled with materials such as polyester.
The best pillow: Sleep better in any position|Carsen Joenk|December 11, 2020|Popular-Science
The Centers for Disease Control note that it is used to “make polyester compounds, and as a base for deicing solutions.”
Europeans Recall Fireball Whiskey Over a Sweetener Also Used in Antifreeze|Tim Mak|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He re-invents himself: he goes from ill-fitting polyester cotton blends to silk shirts and stylish leather jackets.
The ‘American Hustle’ Style Guide|Erin Cunningham|February 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It was a cashmere year for movies, so why are we cheering polyester?
‘American Hustle’ Is Overrated|Kevin Fallon|January 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She was 17 and dressed as a flight attendant—think cheap polyester and way too little fabric.
The 15 Most Cringeworthy Bits From Leandra Medine’s New Memoir|Emilia Petrarca|September 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The translucent green polyester has been stretched into door handles, moldings, and even a telephone.
The Best Things to See at Frieze Art Fair NY 2013|Isabel Wilkinson|May 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I said, "Well, adipic acid is a known polyester ingredient."
The Professional Approach|Charles Leonard Harness

British Dictionary definitions for polyester

polyester

/ (ˌpɒlɪˈɛstə) /

noun

any of a large class of synthetic materials that are polymers containing recurring -COO- groups: used as plastics, textile fibres, and adhesives

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for polyester

polyester

[ pŏl′ē-ĕs′tər ]

Any of various mostly synthetic polymers that are light, strong resins resistant to weather and corrosion. Polyesters are long chains of esters and are used to make fibers and plastics. They are thermosetting. Some polyesters, such as suberin, occur naturally.