polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpä-lə-mər How to pronounce polymer (audio)
: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units
polymeric adjective
polymerlike adjective

Examples of polymer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All this is wrapped in a soft body made of custom 3D lattice polymer structures and wrapped in machine washable fabric. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 29 Oct. 2025 The panels are made from a proprietary polymer composite with an undisclosed fiber-to-resin ratio. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025 Released in 1938 and technically known as Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), the chemically inert, synthetic polymer is most famous for providing impressively nonstick coatings on cookware and other surfaces. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025 Now, the team at Google Quantum AI has developed a new algorithm that the company says may be used by quantum computers to outperform classical supercomputers on a task that could help discover better drugs, polymers, catalysts, and battery components. IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for polymer

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, back-formation from polymeric, from Greek polymerēs having many parts, from poly- + meros part — more at merit entry 1

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polymer was in 1866

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Polymer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymer. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

polymer

noun
poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər How to pronounce polymer (audio)
: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds that is formed by combination of smaller molecules and consists basically of repeating structural units
polymeric adjective

Medical Definition

polymer

noun
poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər How to pronounce polymer (audio)
: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units

More from Merriam-Webster on polymer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!