vinyl

noun

vi·​nyl ˈvī-nᵊl How to pronounce vinyl (audio)
1
: a monovalent radical CH2=CH derived from ethylene by removal of one hydrogen atom
2
a
: a polymer of a vinyl compound or a product (such as a resin or a textile fiber) made from such a polymer
often used before another noun
a house with vinyl siding
vinyl tiles/flooring
b(1)
: vinyl used as a material for phonograph records
a vinyl record
… 1970's revolutionary record "Wake the Town," the first "rap" song ever released on vinyl. [=as a phonograph record]Rob Kenner
The opening multimedia bonanza also features … reissues of the band's 13 studio albums on vinylJerry McCulley
(2)
: phonograph records recorded on vinyl
a shop selling vintage vinyl
The owner of the company … said GZ Media produced 300,000 records in 1994, but, with the global resurgence in the popularity of vinyl, it expects to produce 20 million this year.Rick Lyman
These are people who … listen to vinyl at home.John King
vinylic adjective

Examples of vinyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Check it out, stream it, buy it on vinyl. Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 1 May 2023 The libraries have become like vinyl. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2023 This all-purpose detergent is specially formulated to work with pressure washers and can be used on surfaces such as concrete, vinyl, brick, and wood. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2023 Houses have distinct door and shutter colors, and vinyl, brick or stone siding. Madison Rudolf, Washington Post, 19 Apr. 2023 Bob Dylan‘s pandemic-era black-and-white 2021 concert film Shadow Kingdom, which was previously only available as a live stream through Veeps, will be released on CD, vinyl, and streaming formats June 2 via Columbia/Legacy Recordings. Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 13 Apr. 2023 Sunday afternoon, meanwhile, is reserved for the DJs who only play vinyl. Craig D Lindsey, Chron, 18 Apr. 2023 If the shell is made of plastic and synthetic materials such as nylon or vinyl, scientist Mary Gagliardi, Clorox’s stain expert who is known as Dr. Laundry, says to use a wipe or a bleach-and-water solution by combining half a cup of bleach (like Clorox regular bleach) per gallon of water. Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2023 Use the mop on just about any surface, including stone, tile, laminate, hardwood, vinyl, baseboards, and bamboo. Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vinyl.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin vinum wine

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of vinyl was in 1863

Dictionary Entries Near vinyl

Cite this Entry

“Vinyl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vinyl. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vinyl

noun
vi·​nyl ˈvīn-ᵊl How to pronounce vinyl (audio)
1
: a chemical obtained from ethylene by the removal of one hydrogen atom
2
: a polymer of a vinyl compound or a product (as a textile fiber) made from such a polymer

Medical Definition

vinyl

noun
vi·​nyl ˈvīn-ᵊl How to pronounce vinyl (audio)
1
: a monovalent radical CH2=CH derived from ethylene by removal of one hydrogen atom
2
: a polymer of a vinyl compound or a product (as a resin or a textile fiber) made from one
vinylic adjective

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