English Reference

Word

plastics

Phoneticsplas·tics

US/ˈpɫæstɪks/

UK/plˈɑːstɪks/

Definitions

01synthetic materials

A2 · Science

n. materials made by people that can be shaped into many different objects like bottles, toys, or bags.

n. synthetic or semi-synthetic organic polymers used for manufacturing a vast range of industrial and consumer products.

“Many countries are trying to reduce the amount of single-use plastics they use every day.”

“The environmental impact of microplastics in the ocean has led to stricter regulations on the production of industrial plastics worldwide.”

02plastic surgery

C1 · Medicine

n. the medical field or profession of plastic surgery.

n. the branch of medicine concerned with the repair, restoration, or alteration of the human body. Uncountable in this sense.

“After the accident, he was sent to the plastics department for a skin graft.”

“She decided to specialise in plastics after completing her general surgical residency, focusing specifically on reconstructive techniques for burn victims.”

Technical

Usage

This sense is uncountable and often used by medical professionals to refer to their department or specialty.

Teaching tip

In everyday English, people usually say 'plastic surgery' rather than just 'plastics'.

Synonyms

cosmetic surgeryreconstructive surgery

This entry

Level
A2 · Elementary
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference