polyurethane

[ pol-ee-yoor-uh-theyn, -yoo-reth-eyn ]

nounChemistry.
  1. a thermoplastic polymer containing the group NHCOO: used for padding and insulation in furniture, clothing, and packaging, and in the manufacture of resins for adhesives, elastomers, and fillers.

Origin of polyurethane

1
First recorded in 1940–45; poly- + urethane
  • Also pol·y·u·re·than [pol-ee-yoor-uh-than]. /ˌpɒl iˈyʊər əˌθæn/.

Words Nearby polyurethane

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How to use polyurethane in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for polyurethane

polyurethane

polyurethan (ˌpɒlɪˈjʊərəˌθæn)

/ (ˌpɒlɪˈjʊərəˌθeɪn) /


noun
  1. a class of synthetic materials made by copolymerizing an isocyanate and a polyhydric alcohol and commonly used as a foam (polyurethane foam) for insulation and packing, as fibres and hard inert coatings, and in a flexible form (polyurethane rubber) for diaphragms and seals

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for polyurethane

polyurethane

[ pŏl′ē-yurə-thān′ ]


  1. Any of various synthetic resins used to make tough resistant coatings, adhesives, foams, and electrical insulation.

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