polyethylene

American  

[pol-ee-eth-uh-leen] / ˌpɒl iˈɛθ əˌlin /

noun

Chemistry.

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

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polyethylene British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈɛθɪˌliːn /

noun

1. another name for polythene

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polyethylene Scientific  

/ pŏl′ē-ĕth′ə-lēn′ /

1. Any of various artificial resins consisting of many ethyl groups (CH ₂ CH ₂) 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.

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Etymology

Origin of polyethylene

First recorded in 1935–40; poly- + ethylene

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

polyethylene

However, polyethylene domestic and export demand is strong, and polymer pricing improved through the end of the third quarter, the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

Packaging & Specialty Plastics sales rose 18% to $5.8 billion, reflecting higher polyethylene and functional polymers prices.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

To investigate the possible health effects of polyethylene, Joshi and his colleagues examined whether exposure to this common plastic could promote fatty liver disease.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

"What we now know is that these microplastics, especially polyethylene, affect our liver's natural defense and repair mechanisms."

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

I'd wrap the notes in polyethylene, put it in a sandwich box, and stash it away.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

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