polymer

[ pol-uh-mer ]

/ ˈpɒl ə mər /

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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.

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Compare monomer.

Origin of polymer

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

OTHER WORDS FROM polymer

su·per·pol·y·mer, noun

Words nearby polymer

polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, polylingual, polymath, polymathy, polymer, polymerase, polymeric, polymerism, polymerization, polymerize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use polymer in a sentence

Antifreeze proteins are natural polymers—enormous long molecules consisting of smaller repeating molecules, like links in a chain.
Fish blood could hold the answer to safer de-icing solutions during snowstorms|By Monika Bleszynski/The Conversation|February 1, 2021|Popular-Science
Chemists are looking at whether you can design a polymer that falls apart on command.
Chemists are reimagining recycling to keep plastics out of landfills|Maria Temming|January 27, 2021|Science News
Similarly, carbon-based titanium polymers can be used in combination with synthetic polymers to create ultrathin artificial muscles.
Why ‘soft robots’ have NASA, doctors, and tech whizzes so excited|jakemeth|January 1, 2021|Fortune
Korley’s research has progressed from simply designing nature-inspired polymers to creating those polymers more sustainably.
Creating new polymers, and upcycling the old ones|Katie McLean|December 18, 2020|MIT Technology Review

They form interconnected puddles of the water-loving polymer and water-hating polymer.
Flexible devices may help clothes solar power your screens|Shi En Kim|December 16, 2020|Science News For Students
Vasalgel, a reversible, non-hormonal polymer that blocks the vas deferens, is about to enter human trials.
Male Birth Control, Without Condoms, Will Be Here by 2017|Samantha Allen|September 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When the Undetectable Firearms Act passed in 1988, gun manufacturers had begun using lightweight polymer in handguns.
The Deadly Plastic Gun Loophole the House Extension Leaves in Place|Eleanor Clift|December 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In 1989, Surfrider incurred a backlash when they proposed dropping giant polymer sandbags near Ventura to create a new surf break.
Surfing Is Less Mystical and More High Tech Says a New Book|Josh Dzieza|August 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This could be Canada's biggest monetary scandal since the discovery that the new polymer $100 bill smells of maple syrup.
Canada's Latest Monetary Scandal|David Frum|January 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
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 of polymer

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

Scientific 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).

Cultural definitions for polymer

polymer

[ (pol-uh-muhr) ]

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

notes for polymer

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