Advertisement

Advertisement

polymer

[ 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.


polymer

/ ˈpɒlɪmə-; ˈpɒlɪmə; pəˈlɪməˌrɪzəm /

noun

  1. a naturally occurring or synthetic compound, such as starch or Perspex, that has large molecules made up of many relatively simple repeated units Compare copolymer oligomer


polymer

/ pŏlə-mər /

  1. 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.
  2. ◆ The process by which molecules are linked together to form polymers is called polymerization (pŏl′ə-lĭm′ər-ĭ-zā|||PRIMARY_STRESS|||shən).


polymer

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


Discover More

Notes

Proteins and many carbohydrates , such as cellulose , are polymers. Plastics are also polymers.

Discover More

Derived Forms

  • polymerism, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

  • super·poly·mer noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of polymer1

First recorded in 1865–70, polymer is from the Greek word polymerḗs having many parts. See poly-, -mer

Discover More

Compare Meanings

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

Discover More

Example Sentences

Antifreeze proteins are natural polymers—enormous long molecules consisting of smaller repeating molecules, like links in a chain.

Chemists are looking at whether you can design a polymer that falls apart on command.

Similarly, carbon-based titanium polymers can be used in combination with synthetic polymers to create ultrathin artificial muscles.

From Fortune

Korley’s research has progressed from simply designing nature-inspired polymers to creating those polymers more sustainably.

They form interconnected puddles of the water-loving polymer and water-hating polymer.

Vasalgel, a reversible, non-hormonal polymer that blocks the vas deferens, is about to enter human trials.

When the Undetectable Firearms Act passed in 1988, gun manufacturers had begun using lightweight polymer in handguns.

In 1989, Surfrider incurred a backlash when they proposed dropping giant polymer sandbags near Ventura to create a new surf break.

This could be Canada's biggest monetary scandal since the discovery that the new polymer $100 bill smells of maple syrup.

But the stuff Vaneski used to patch my suit is a polymer that leaks hydrogen very easily.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


polymathypolymerase