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resin
resinnounany 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.
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Resin
Resinnouna male given name.
resin
1 Americannoun
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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.
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Also a substance of this type obtained from certain pines.
verb (used with object)
noun
noun
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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
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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
verb
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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.
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Any of various artificial substances, such as polyurethane, that have similar properties to natural resins and are used to make plastics.
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing resin
The Best Starting Words for Wordle
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The Wild Robot
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This Week In Words: Current Events Vocab for September 26–October 2, 2020
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Handmade of flexible resin, each vase made in this series is a unique creation.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
Avcoat is a mix of silica fibers, phenolic microballoons, and epoxy resin that chars and erodes, removing heat away.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
The 22 suppliers will provide steel, resin, parts and components for GE Appliances to make washers and combination washer-and-dryer machines at a renovated factory in Louisville, Ky.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025
The "highly distinctive, prominent horns" are only on the female bee and may be used as a defence mechanism, to gather pollen or nectar, or to collect materials such as resin for nests.
From BBC • Nov. 10, 2025
An hour before dawn, a long, timber-loaded train that smelled sweetly of pine resin stopped them at a country crossing.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.