polystyrene

American  

[pol-ee-stahy-reen, -steer-een] / ˌpɒl iˈstaɪ rin, -ˈstɪər in /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a clear plastic or stiff foam, a polymer of styrene, used chiefly as an insulator in refrigerators and air conditioners.

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polystyrene British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈstaɪriːn /

noun

1. a synthetic thermoplastic material obtained by polymerizing styrene; used as a white rigid foam ( expanded polystyrene ) for insulating and packing and as a glasslike material in light fittings and water tanks

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polystyrene Scientific  

/ pŏl′ē-stī′rēn /

1. A brittle synthetic polymer composed of repeated styrene units. Polystyrene is transparent and rigid because the benzene rings in each styrene unit prevent the polystyrene chains from arranging themselves into a tight crystalline structure. Polystyrene has a wide variety of uses, especially as a solid foam for insulation and packaging.

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Etymology

Origin of polystyrene

First recorded in 1925–30; poly- + styrene

Compare meaning

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

• polystyrene vs. Styrofoam

Example Sentences

The cause of the fire has still not been determined, though authorities have said that polystyrene and protective netting placed on the outside of the windows facilitated its spread.

From BBC

Mesh material and plastic sheets which were found on the outside of the buildings are not believed to be fireproof, while polystyrene was also found on the buildings' windows.

From BBC

He hired sculptor Derek Howarth to craft the statue in polystyrene sections, which Mr Pyle used to make moulds and fibreglass casts.

From BBC

Soil analysis in November 2023 found the land contained asbestos, plastic, polystyrene and asphalt.

From BBC

SB54 put an end to polystyrene — which had low recycling rates and high levels of pollution — in California.

From Los Angeles Times