polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpä-lə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units

polymeric

ˌpä-lə-ˈmer-ik 

adjective

polymerism

pə-ˈli-mə-ˌri-zəm  ˈpä-lə-mə- 

noun

polymerlike

ˈpä-lə-mər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of polymer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her skin—something known as Frubber, a porous patented blend of fleshlike elastic polymers—stretched over a structure of plastic and titanium, and there was no flicker of bashfulness. —Dan Turello, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026

In the new design, a conductive polymer layer and titanium dioxide work together to create an internal electric field that keeps charges separated. —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026

Mixed-fiber textiles consist of, at minimum, two different polymers—think of cotton and polyester or nylon and Lycra. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 5 Jan. 2026

After dehydration, the emulsion contains particles of around 360 mg of highly concentrated antibodies per milliliter of solution, plus a minute amount of the stabilizing polymer polyethylene glycol (PEG). —New Atlas, 30 Dec. 2025

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

Phrases Containing polymer

• high polymer

Rhymes for polymer

• biopolymer
• homopolymer
• copolymer

Kids Definition

polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds that is formed by combination of smaller molecules and consists basically of repeating structural units

polymeric

ˌpäl-ə-ˈmer-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units