urethane

noun

ure·​thane ˈyu̇r-ə-ˌthān How to pronounce urethane (audio)
variants or less commonly urethan
1
a
: a crystalline compound C3H7NO2 that is the ethyl ester of carbamic acid and is used especially as a solvent and medicinally as an antineoplastic agent
b
: an ester of carbamic acid other than the ethyl ester
2

Examples of urethane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This semester, the school offers a course focusing on costume crafts (including items such as shoes, hats, jewelry and working with uncommon materials such as thermoplastics and urethane resin). Cathy Whitlock, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2024 The Platinum Shield option is the most heavy-duty of the brand’s choices due to its urethane coating, which makes the cover extra weather-resistant. Rena Behar, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2023 Rough-hewn logs and fieldstone have been fashioned from high-density urethane foam. David Gilbert, The New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2020 Owing to its urethane bushings, the ride is not quiet, either. Barry Winfield, Car and Driver, 1 Aug. 2023 In September 2022, the NFL delivered a message of hope after finding a 52 percent reduction in concussions during the preseason for players wearing the Guardian Cap, a soft helmet cover made of urethane. James M. Smoliga, Dvm, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2023 View Photos There are a few concessions to modern engineering and consumer tastes, namely the extra pistons on the front brake calipers and urethane suspension bushings on the front axle that improve wheel control on the road. Clifford Atiyeh, Car and Driver, 16 Aug. 2023 He's lasted in the bowling industry over 40 years, despite decades of decline Inside of All Star Bowl, south of 10th Street, east of North Shortridge Road, a familiar sequence of sounds unravels: the distinctive thud of a three-holed urethane ball dropped to the floor, the boom before pins fall. Daniela Franco Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 24 June 2022 Each pair is made of durable PVC and has metal speed lace eyelets, nylon core urethane wheels, and aluminum alloy trucks and baseplates. L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'urethane.' 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

French uréthane, from ur- ur- entry 1 + éth- eth- + -ane

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of urethane was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near urethane

Cite this Entry

“Urethane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urethane. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

urethane

noun
ure·​thane ˈyu̇r-ə-ˌthān How to pronounce urethane (audio)
variants or urethan
1
: a crystalline compound C3H7NO2 that is the ethyl ester of carbamic acid and is used especially as a solvent and in anesthetizing laboratory animals

called also ethyl carbamate

2
: an ester of carbamic acid other than the ethyl ester

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