polymer

[ pol-uh-mer ]

/ ˈpɒl ə mər /

noun Chemistry.

a compound of high molecular weight derived either by the addition of many smaller molecules, as polyethylene, or by the condensation of many smaller molecules with the elimination of water, alcohol, or the like, as nylon.

a compound formed from two or more polymeric compounds.

a product of polymerization.

Nearby words

polymastia, polymath, polymathy, polymelia, polymenorrhea, polymer, polymer fume fever, polymerase, polymeria, polymeric, polymerism

Compare monomer.

Origin of polymer

First recorded in 1865–70, polymer is from the Greek word polymerḗs having many parts. See poly-, -mer

Related forms

su·per·pol·y·mer, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for polymer

But the stuff Vaneski used to patch my suit is a polymer that leaks hydrogen very easily.
Unwise Child|Gordon Randall Garrett

British Dictionary definitions for polymer

polymer

/ (ˈpɒlɪmə) /

noun

a naturally occurring or synthetic compound, such as starch or Perspex, that has large molecules made up of many relatively simple repeated unitsCompare copolymer, oligomer

Derived Forms

polymerism (pəˈlɪməˌrɪzəm, ˈpɒlɪmə-), noun

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

Medicine definitions for polymer

polymer

[ pŏl′ə-mər ]

n.

Any of numerous compounds of usually high molecular weight and consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule.

Science definitions for polymer

polymer

[ pŏl′ə-mər ]

Any of various chemical compounds made of smaller, identical molecules (called monomers) linked together. Some polymers, like cellulose, occur naturally, while others, like nylon, are artificial. Polymers have extremely high molecular weights, make up many of the tissues of organisms, and have extremely varied and versatile uses in industry, such as in making plastics, concrete, glass, and rubber.♦ The process by which molecules are linked together to form polymers is called polymerization (pŏl′ə-lĭm′ər-ĭ-zā′shən).

Culture definitions for polymer

polymer

[ (pol-uh-muhr) ]

In chemistry, a long molecule made up of a chain of smaller, simpler molecules.

Note

Proteins and many carbohydrates, such as cellulose, are polymers. Plastics are also polymers.