What does "polymer" mean?

1. (chemical structure) a very large molecule made of many small, repeating units joined together. 2. (synthetic material) a material made from these molecules, such as plastic or rubber.

How do you use "polymer"?

Often used as a countable noun when referring to specific types of molecules. Can be used as an uncountable noun when referring to the substance in general.

polymer

US //ˈpɑɫəmɝ// UK //pˈɒlɪmɐ// poly·mer

1 chemical structure (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

a very large molecule made of many small, repeating units joined together.

A macromolecule composed of many repeating subunits, known as monomers, which are chemically bonded in a chain or network.

Example

DNA is a natural polymer that carries all the genetic information for living things.

Example

The scientist explained how the individual monomers link together during polymerization to create a stable, long-chain polymer.

Usage

Often used as a countable noun when referring to specific types of molecules.
- macromolecule
- monomer
2 synthetic material (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Science

a material made from these molecules, such as plastic or rubber.

A synthetic or natural material consisting of polymer molecules, valued for its durability and flexibility.

Example

This new polymer is much stronger and lighter than the plastic we used before.

Example

Engineers are developing a biodegradable polymer to replace traditional plastics in food packaging and reduce environmental waste.

Usage

Can be used as an uncountable noun when referring to the substance in general.

Origin

From poly- + -mer, from Ancient Greek πολύς (polús, “many”) + μέρος (méros, “part”). Coined by Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1833, though his definition was quite different from the modern one.

Word family

Nounpolymer
Nounpolymerase
Nounpolymerization