polyethylene

[pol-ee-eth-uh-leen]

noun Chemistry.

a plastic polymer of ethylene used chiefly for containers, electrical insulation, and packaging.

Origin of polyethylene

First recorded in 1935–40; poly- + ethylene

Also called, British, polythene.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for polyethylene

Contemporary Examples of polyethylene

These substances are relatively harmless compared to longer-living man-made plastics like polyethylene.
Your Favorite Facewash Is Hurting Nemo
Alexa C. Kurzius
June 18, 2014

Historical Examples of polyethylene

No, I haven't; we have some rugs, most of them are wrapped in polyethylene.
Warren Commission (2 of 26): Hearings Vol. II (of 15)
The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

British Dictionary definitions for polyethylene

polyethylene

noun

another name for polythene

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

Word Origin and History for polyethylene

polymer of ethylene, 1862, from French polyéthylène; see poly- + ethylene. Related: Polyethylenic (1860).

polyethylene in Science

polyethylene

[pŏl′ē-ĕth′ə-lēn′]

Any of various artificial resins consisting of many ethyl groups (CH2CH2) joined end to end or in branched chains. Polyethylenes are easily molded and are resistant to other chemicals. They can be repeatedly softened and hardened by heating and cooling, and are used for many purposes, such as making containers, tubes, and packaging.