polymer
Americannoun
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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.
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a compound formed from two or more polymeric compounds.
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a product of polymerization.
noun
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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.
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◆ The process by which molecules are linked together to form polymers is called polymerization (pŏl′ə-lĭm′ər-ĭ-zā|||PRIMARY_STRESS|||shən).
Discover More
Proteins and many carbohydrates, such as cellulose, are polymers. Plastics are also polymers.
Other Word Forms
- polymerism noun
- superpolymer noun
Etymology
Origin of polymer
First recorded in 1865–70, polymer is from the Greek word polymerḗs having many parts. See poly-, -mer
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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.
Their work in the Nanobioengineering Research Group in Bogotá focused on developing new polymer materials.
From Science Daily
Hyperscalers’ AI investments are shifting focus to advanced materials such as cooling systems and polymers, which become critical for scaling AI models.
From Barron's
The leggings are made of an advanced polymer — a distant cousin to a plastic milk jug — with fibers that are incredibly strong and durable.
From Los Angeles Times
The strategy is still being tested experimentally, but it is based on established principles from polymer chemistry and biocompatible fluorescence imaging.
From Science Daily
Carbon fiber, polymer, titanium... sure, that’s part of it, but the responsibilities of a ski tech go far beyond that.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
