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• resin
  resin

  noun

  any of a class of nonvolatile, solid or semisolid organic substances, as copal or mastic, that consist of amorphous mixtures of carboxylic acids and are obtained directly from certain plants as exudations or prepared by polymerization of simple molecules: used in medicine and in the making of varnishes and plastics.
• Resin
  Resin

  noun

  a male given name.

resin

¹ American  

[rez-in] / ˈrɛz ɪn /

noun

resins plural

1. any of a class of nonvolatile, solid or semisolid organic substances, as copal or mastic, that consist of amorphous mixtures of carboxylic acids and are obtained directly from certain plants as exudations or prepared by polymerization of simple molecules: used in medicine and in the making of varnishes and plastics.

2. Also a substance of this type obtained from certain pines.

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verb (used with object)

1. to treat or rub with resin.

Resin ² American  

[rez-in] / ˈrɛz ɪn /

noun

1. a male given name.

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resin British  

/ ˈrɛzɪn /

noun

1. any of a group of solid or semisolid amorphous compounds that are obtained directly from certain plants as exudations. They are used in medicine and in varnishes

2. any of a large number of synthetic, usually organic, materials that have a polymeric structure, esp such a substance in a raw state before it is moulded or treated with plasticizer, stabilizer, filler, etc Compare plastic

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verb

1. (tr) to treat or coat with resin

resin Scientific  

/ rĕz′ĭn /

1. Any of numerous clear or translucent, yellowish or brownish substances that ooze from certain trees and plants. Resins are used in products such as varnishes, lacquers, adhesives, plastics, and drugs. Balsam is a resin.

2. Any of various artificial substances, such as polyurethane, that have similar properties to natural resins and are used to make plastics.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• resinousness
  noun
• resinlike
  adjective
• resinous
  adjective
• resinously
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• resins
  plural

Etymology

Origin of resin

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French resine, from Latin rēsīna, probably from a non-Indo-European language; compare Greek rhētī́nē “pine resin,” from a related source

Explanation

Resin is a sticky substance that oozes out of trees including fir and pine trees. Because resin is insoluble in water, it's useful as a base in different kinds of glue and varnishes. Resin can be found in many materials from varnishes and cement to incense and other therapeutic products. Musicians add resin to the bows of their string instruments to help them get a little more friction. Ballet dancers coat the bottoms of their slippers in resin powder for a similar reason — to keep from slipping on the floor while they dance.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

resin Resin resins

Talley, an artist and retired college biology teacher, has—prior to the Reflecting Pool situation—made dozens of algae-themed suncatchers out of UV resin.

From Slate ● Jun. 27, 2026

They simply weren’t my taste anymore, and I didn’t like how the resin had yellowed over time.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 2026

Using advanced imaging technology, researchers were able to reveal creatures that had remained trapped inside the fossilized tree resin for tens of millions of years.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 4, 2026

Handmade of flexible resin, each vase made in this series is a unique creation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026

Once I break the seal on the patch kit, the binary components of the resin mix and I have sixty seconds before it hardens.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

"Namie was hit by four disasters - the quake, the tsunami, the reactor accident and then rumours about radiation danger," said Takemitsu Imazu, president of Biomass Resin Fukushima.

From Reuters ● Mar. 9, 2023

Resin, which gets brittle over time, grows increasingly fragile as it ages.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2020

Resin is used by most, if not all, competitors in tug-of-war competitions - apparently it improves your grip.

From BBC ● May 15, 2019

Aboulafia points to the advanced wing-manufacturing technology Airbus just acquired from Bombardier: The carbon composite wings are built in Belfast, Northern Ireland, using a new process called Resin Transfer Infusion.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 13, 2018

Ule and dock are Both for binding Reh for seeking Kel for finding Gea key Teh lock Pesin water Resin rock Before I could go any further, sixth bell struck.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

UV light is used for air purification, curing resins in 3D printing, hardening gels in dental fillings, and even applications such as nail treatments.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 26, 2026

More broadly, diesel fuel and jet fuel, as well as petroleum-based products like plastic resins were up on the month as well.

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

The use of aromatic resins, gums and woods like frankincense and myrrh dates back to ancient Egypt.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026

Many of those operations used petrochemical products and solvents such as resins, adhesives and acrylic compounds like methyl methacrylate, the chemical at the center of the Orange County crisis.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026

The shelves are lined with apothecary bottles that twinkle like jewels, as well as clear jars and magnificent flasks containing resins, balms, waxes, and oils made from flowers, plant secretions, and extracts.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• paste
• wax