polyester

American  

[pol-ee-es-ter, pol-ee-es-ter] / ˈpɒl iˌɛs tər, ˌpɒl iˈɛs tər /

noun

1. 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.

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

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polyester British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈɛstə /

noun

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

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polyester Scientific  

/ pŏl′ē-ĕs′tər /

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• polyesterification noun

Etymology

Origin of polyester

First recorded in 1925–30; poly- + ester

Example Sentences

And the company tapped another pre-existing alternative — a paraffin/beeswax mix — for its “cornerstone material,” G-1000, which is made of recycled polyester and organic cotton.

From Seattle Times

"We have developed technologies for the end-of-life of two polyesters only, representing around 75 million tonnes of annual production, compared to a global plastics production of around 350 million tonnes," he says.

From BBC

The majority of the product is made from plastic, but the front panel with the artwork is a polyester fabric.

From The Verge

Paddle jackets are a 1-2 layer nylon or polyester shell designed to be generally waterproof.

From Seattle Times

Frank Bonner, who played a brash salesman with an affection for polyester plaid suits on the TV comedy “WKRP in Cincinnati,” died June 16 at his home in Laguna Niguel, Calif. He was 79.

From Washington Post