Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Definition of polymer - 6 dictionary results

pol⋅y⋅mer

[pol-uh-mer]
–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.
Compare monomer.


Origin:
1865–70; < Gk polymers having many parts. See poly-, -mer
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To polymer
pol·y·mer   (pŏl'ə-mər)   
n.  Any of numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule.

[Greek polumerēs, consisting of many parts : polu-, poly- + meros, part; see (s)mer-2 in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

polymer [(pol-uh-muhr)]

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

Note: Proteins and many carbohydrates, such as cellulose, are polymers. Plastics are also polymers.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

polymer 
1866, probably from Ger. Polymere (Berzelius, 1830), from Gk. polymeres "having many parts," from polys "many" (see poly-) + meros "part."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: poly·mer
Pronunciation: 'päl-&-m&r
Function: noun
: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization andconsisting essentially of repeating structural units
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

polymer pol·y·mer (pŏl'ə-mər)
n.
Any of numerous compounds of usually high molecular weight and consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see polymer on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: