polymer

American  

[pol-uh-mer] / ˈpɒl ə mər /

noun

Chemistry.

1. 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.

2. a compound formed from two or more polymeric compounds.

3. a product of polymerization.

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polymer British  

/ ˈpɒlɪmə, ˈpɒlɪmə-, pəˈlɪməˌrɪzəm /

noun

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

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polymer Scientific  

/ pŏl′ə-mər /

1. 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.

2. ◆ The process by which molecules are linked together to form polymers is called polymerization (pŏl′ə-lĭm′ər-ĭ-zā|||PRIMARY_STRESS|||shən).

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polymer Cultural  

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

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Discover More

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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• superpolymer
  noun
• polymerism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of polymer

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

Compare meaning

How does polymer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• monomer vs. polymer

Explanation

A polymer is a very large, chain-like molecule made up of monomers, which are small molecules. It can be naturally occurring or synthetic. What's a mer? — you might ask. Well, it means "part," and it works only as a suffix. Since poly- means "many," a polymer means "many parts." You'll find polymers everywhere: they're what make spandex stretch and sneakers bounce. They're the plastic drink bottles that you're always careful to recycle. Natural polymers include leather, rubber, and even the cellulose in your french fries and the protein in your chicken nuggets.

Example Sentences

The polymer itself isn’t toxic, but its liquid MMA predecessor — a monomer, essentially a bunch of single molecules — is.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

British polymer manufacturer Victrex last week said it would reduce its workforce by 10% while warning that its profits may fall below expectations due to the elevated costs of energy and raw materials.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

In an earlier experiment, Doshi used a scanning electron microscope to examine nanostructures on a polymer film.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

O'Donovan said in February he was concerned the polymer seal would not stop deep‑seated fires and could delay ecological surveys needed for his planning application and site remediation.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Its hydrofoils were retracted, but with the carbon- polymer hull shattered, Nailer could see into its workings: the huge gears that extended the foils, the complex hydraulics and precision electronic systems.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi