nylon

noun

ny·​lon ˈnī-ˌlän 

1

: any of numerous strong tough elastic synthetic polyamide materials that are fashioned into fibers, filaments, bristles, or sheets and used especially in textiles and plastics

2

nylons plural : stockings made of nylon

Examples of nylon in a Sentence

The rope is made of nylon.

Recent Examples on the Web

Substandard plastic nylon netting covering scaffoldings erected outside the towers and foam boards installed on windows were found to have aided the fire's rapid spread, authorities said earlier this week. —CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025

Made with a stretchy, durable nylon-spandex fabric, these pants provide UPF 50-plus sun protection and have a StormRepel DWR finish that sheds moisture instantly. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Dec. 2025

Its ionic technology fights frizz while the mix of nylon and tufted bristles gives you that perfect tension for smooth, bouncy hair (not a Shirley Temple curl in sight). —Lily Wohlner, Allure, 2 Dec. 2025

So, good on KAIST for giving us a route to avoid all of that, but how does its method create a replacement for nylon and polyester, and dye it in the same vat pot? —New Atlas, 2 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

coined word

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nylon

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

nylon

noun

ny·​lon ˈnī-ˌlän 

1

: any of numerous strong tough elastic synthetic materials used especially in textiles and plastics

2

plural : stockings made of nylon

nylon adjective

Etymology

coined from meaningless word elements

Medical Definition

nylon

noun

ny·​lon ˈnī-ˌlän 

: any of numerous strong tough elastic synthetic polyamide materials that are fashioned into fibers, filaments, bristles, or sheets

nylon sutures and prosthetic devices