plastic

1 of 3

noun

plas·​tic ˈpla-stik 

1

: a plastic substance

specifically : any of numerous organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight and that can be made into objects, films, or filaments

2

: credit cards used for payment

called also plastic money

plasticky

ˈpla-sti-kē 

adjective

plastic

2 of 3

adjective

1

: made or consisting of a plastic

2

: having a quality suggestive of mass-produced plastic goods

especially : artificial sense 3

plastic smiles

3

a

: capable of being molded or modeled

plastic clay

b

: capable of adapting to varying conditions : pliable

ecologically plastic animals

4

: capable of being deformed continuously and permanently in any direction without rupture

5

: relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting neural plasticity

6

: of, relating to, or involving plastic surgery

7

: formative, creative

plastic forces in nature

8

: sculptural

-plastic

3 of 3

adjective combining form

1

: developing : forming

thromboplastic

2

: of or relating to (something designated by a term ending in -plasm, -plast, -plasty, or -plasy)

homoplastic

neoplastic

Synonyms

Adjective

• malleable
• moldable
• shapable
• shapeable
• waxy

Choose the Right Synonym for plastic

plastic, pliable, pliant, ductile, malleable, adaptable mean susceptible of being modified in form or nature.

plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

Examples of plastic in a Sentence

Noun

The toy was made of plastic.

a company that manufactures plastics

She used plastic to pay for her new computer.

Adjective

Silly Putty is famous for being very plastic.

there's usually a plastic cordiality at these corporate events

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ideas By Eric Schmidt April 16, 2024 4:20 PM EDT Schmidt, Commissioner, National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology; Co-founder with his wife Wendy, Schmidt Sciences; Former CEO & Chairman, Google Imagine a world where everything from plastics to concrete is produced from biomass. —Eric Schmidt, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024

Twelve states and over 500 cities have adopted laws to regulate single-use plastics on the local level. —Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024

Collectors pay companies such as PSA to rate the quality of the card and preserve it in plastic. —Caitlin Clark, USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024

The bulbs are encased in plastic, making them shatter-, wind-, and water-proof, and each bulb can last up to 1,000 charging lifecycles, according to the brand. —Wendy Vazquez, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2024

Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics more durable and can easily dissolve certain materials. —Kristina Behr, Parents, 12 Apr. 2024

Petco Park prohibits backpacks and bags, with the exception of single-compartment clear plastic bags not exceeding 12 inches by six inches by 12 inches, infant and medical bags, and clutches and purses no larger than 5 inches by 7 inches. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2024

African Bush Camps Established: 2003 Areas of operation: Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe Goals: No plastics on site by 2025; no plastics in the supply chain by 2030; 25% women guides by 2030 Next opening: Atzaró Okavango, Botswana This article appeared in the April 2024 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. —Jesse Ashlock, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Apr. 2024

That’s according to the environmental nonprofit Oceana, which says that’s enough plastic pillows to encircle the Earth more than 200 times. —David Meyer, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024

Adjective

Bring your own supplies, including buckets and recyclable bags to help reduce plastic bag usage. —Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 17 Apr. 2024

In between, Insta360 stuffs a tough plastic chassis that contains all the ports and other necessities. —Eric Zeman, PCMAG, 16 Apr. 2024

Miami music memories Chern is almost dwarfed by a stack of new arrivals on LPs and 45s in protective clear plastic sleeves to his left on the counter. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024

In addition to a fishing pole and fishing net, the table comes with a water cup and five little plastic critters for kids to catch. —Laura Lu, Parents, 15 Apr. 2024

Hermosillo, who was present during the autopsy, said the boy, who was later identified as JJ, was wearing red pajamas and was wrapped in layers and layers of duct tape, along with a plastic bag. —Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 11 Apr. 2024

Give me a bouquet of plastic syringes filled with osmanthus-scented paste! —Joanna Nelius, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024

All clutch bags larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches will need to be transparent, such as a gallon-sized plastic bag. —The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024

There’s not much transparency on how much plastic waste Amazon pumps out from place to place. —Justine Calma, The Verge, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin plasticus of molding, from Greek plastikos, from plassein to mold, form

Adjective combining form

Greek -plastikos, from plassein

First Known Use

Noun

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 7

Phrases Containing plastic

• expanded plastic
• foamed plastic
• plastic art
• plastic explosive
• plastic foam
• plastic money
• plastic surgeon
• plastic surgery
• plastic wrap

Kids Definition

plastic

1 of 2 adjective

plas·​tic ˈplas-tik 

1

: capable of being molded or modeled

plastic clay

2

: marked by or using modeling

sculpture is a plastic art

3

: made or consisting of a plastic

plastic dishes

plastically

-ti-k(ə-)lē

adverb

plastic

2 of 2 noun

: a plastic substance

especially : any of numerous synthetic or processed materials that can be formed into objects, films, or fibers

Medical Definition

plastic

1 of 2 adjective

plas·​tic ˈplas-tik 

1

: made or consisting of a plastic

2

: capable of being deformed continuously and permanently in any direction without breaking or tearing

3

a

: capable of growth, repair, or differentiation

a plastic tissue

b

: relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting neural plasticity

4

: of, relating to, or involving plastic surgery

plastic repair

plastic

2 of 2 noun

1

: a plastic substance

specifically : any of numerous organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight and that can be made into objects, films, or filaments

2

: an object made of plastic