nylon
n. C / Un. a strong, smooth material made by people that is used to make clothes, ropes, and brushes. You often find it in things like stockings or sports bags because it lasts a long time.
n. a synthetic polymer belonging to the class of polyamides, characterised by high strength, elasticity, and resistance to abrasion. Frequently used in the manufacture of textiles, bristles, and molded parts.
My new jacket is made of waterproof nylon.
The manufacturer switched from cotton to nylon for the tent fabric to reduce weight and improve durability.
The invention of nylon in the 1930s revolutionised the textile industry, providing a cheaper and more resilient alternative to natural silk for both consumer goods and military applications.
Coined by the company DuPont in 1938. According to the company, the name was formed from the random generic syllable nyl- + the common fiber suffix -on (as in rayon and Dacron), said to be ultimately from cotton.
Uncountable when referring to the material in general; countable when referring to specific types of the polymer or, informally, to garments like stockings.