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

The sizable desktop has a durable plastic laminate surface that could comfortably accommodate a PC tower, extended resolution monitor, and router with plenty of space left over. —Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2024

Environmental exposures may also come from inside the house through paint, plastics, cigarette smoke or synthetic fabrics such as spandex, nylon and polyester. —Ian Myles, Discover Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024

He’s reduced his plastics consumption to virtually zero, for instance, and has dramatically limited his exposure to forever chemicals, having switched to organic or non-toxic brands of toilet paper, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, mouthwash, dishwashing detergent, and on and on and on. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Apr. 2024

Cast small twitch baits, soft plastics, and flies to likely areas. —Max Inchausti, Field & Stream, 24 Apr. 2024

Which plastics are not actually being recycled in Kansas City? —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 22 Apr. 2024

The theme for this year’s fete is Planet vs. Plastics, calling for a united fight to drastically reduce plastics (hopefully 60% by 2040). —Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024

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

Adjective

Just The Apron Benny Blanco’s Eco Modern Apron Each stain-resistant apron is made from 34 plastic bottles. —Meredith Woerner, Variety, 26 Apr. 2024

The front counter cabinet storing paper and plastic lids had three dead roaches and roach excrement. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024

The toxic gallbladder floated in a dark liquid inside a plastic jar on the bedside table. —Xavier Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2024

Painters can use one plastic tip and nozzle in three spray patterns: horizontal, vertical, and round. —Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2024

Fill each egg white half with a heaping teaspoon of the yolk mixture, or use piping bag or plastic freezer bag fitted with the star tip to pipe the mixture in. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 26 Apr. 2024

Dispose of the tick by flushing it down the toilet, placing it into a sealed container or plastic bag, or wrapping it in tape. —Maggie O'Neill, Health, 26 Apr. 2024

Unfortunately, setup was somewhat involved and there are a number of plastic components that give us some doubts about the barrel’s longevity. —Nor'adila Hepburn, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2024

Her carousel also included a video of O'Connor flipping a plastic water bottle to land perfectly upright, a video of herself practicing her tennis game and images of her costars sitting with the film's director Luca Guadagnino. —Tommy McArdle, Peoplemag, 23 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