terephthalate
noun
tere·phthal·ate
ˌter-ə(f)-ˈtha-ˌlāt 
: a salt or ester of terephthalic acid
especially
: a dimethyl-ester that is a major starting material for polyester fibers and coatings
Examples of terephthalate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Single-use plastic bottles are made of a thin plastic known as polyethylene terephthalate, or PET.
—
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Plastics were primarily polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, while non-plastics included rayon and cotton, materials known to commonly shed during laundry wash cycles and be carried out to our big, blue ocean through the numerous river systems covering our planet.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Many single-use plastic water bottles are made from a type of plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Over 50% of the follicular fluid samples contained polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene (PE), while polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were discovered in over 30% of the follicular fluid samples.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for terephthalate
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.
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025
Plastics were primarily polyester and polyethylene terephthalate, while non-plastics included rayon and cotton, materials known to commonly shed during laundry wash cycles and be carried out to our big, blue ocean through the numerous river systems covering our planet.
—Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Many single-use plastic water bottles are made from a type of plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025
Over 50% of the follicular fluid samples contained polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene (PE), while polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were discovered in over 30% of the follicular fluid samples.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for terephthalate
Cite this Entry
“Terephthalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terephthalate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share