plastic

plas·tic | \ ˈpla-stik

Definition of plastic

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

plastic

adjective

Definition of plastic (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : made or consisting of a plastic

2 : having a quality suggestive of mass-produced plastic goods especially : artificial sense 3 plastic smiles

3a : 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

adjective combining form

Definition of -plastic (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : developing : forming thromboplastic

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

Other Words from plastic Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about plastic

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Choose the Right Synonym for plastic

Adjective

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 Leiweke said he was inspired by musicians such as Billie Eilish, who have pushed for arenas to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing plastic and embracing renewable energy. — Time, "Amazon Buys Naming Rights for Seattle's 'Climate Pledge Arena,' Vows to Make It World's First Net-Zero Carbon Certified Venue," 25 June 2020 Leiweke said he was inspired by musicians such as Billie Eilish, who have pushed for arenas to reduce their carbon footprint by reducing plastic and embracing renewable energy. — Fortune, "Amazon gives Seattle arena an unusual name," 25 June 2020 To avoid single-use plastic, Chambers like this reusable bag set, which comes with two gallon bags great for greens. — Marshall Bright, CNN Underscored, "7 ways to make the most of a CSA farm share box," 24 June 2020 The Birks aren’t actually made of rubber, but rather EVA, a type of plastic that has a similar feeling. — Eden Lichterman, Travel + Leisure, "These Lightweight Birkenstocks Only Get More Comfortable the Longer I Wear Them," 24 June 2020 There's an internal aluminum frame, which is a bit unconventional on a pack this size (usually at this smaller end of the pack market, frames are plastic). — Matt Jancer, Wired, "20 Last-Minute Father's Day Gifts on Sale Now," 18 June 2020 Their pods are also plastic-free and compostable, which is always a plus. — Popular Science, "Great tasting K-cups for your morning cup of coffee," 10 June 2020 There are some workarounds, such as masks with clear inserts over the mouth, masks that are entirely transparent, or clear plastic full-face shields, but those are expensive and in limited use. — Carolyn Said, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Area deaf, hard of hearing say face masks cut off communication," 4 June 2020 These plastic shields qualify as personal protective equipment, and are often used by doctors and healthcare workers in hospitals. — Elizabeth Gulino, refinery29.com, "Are Face Shields The New Face Masks?," 27 May 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Officers were ordered to wear masks and the agency sought to install clear plastic barriers at checkpoints to separate officers from travelers. — Ian Duncan, Washington Post, "TSA head orders new virus safety measures after meeting whistleblower," 8 July 2020 When the crisis first exploded in March and April in hot spots such as New York City, the situation was so desperate that nurses turned plastic garbage bags into protective gowns. — Tim Darnell, ajc, "Georgia tops 100K confirmed coronavirus cases," 8 July 2020 When the crisis first exploded in March and April in hot spots such as New York City, the situation was so desperate that nurses turned plastic garbage bags into protective gowns. — Author: Geoff Mulvihill, Camille Fassett, Anchorage Daily News, "Protective gear for US medical workers begins to run low again as hospitalizations surge," 7 July 2020 Physical distancing: Using the outdoors for gathering, putting up plastic barriers in bars and restaurants and markings on where passengers are and are not allowed to sit to enforce social distancing. — Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, "Face masks, COVID-19 screening: EU issues guidelines for return to cruising amid pandemic," 1 July 2020 In-field leafy green harvesting and packing machines now include plastic barriers between workers. — Lee A. Dean, The Christian Science Monitor, "For migrant farmworkers, coronavirus adds new burdens," 26 June 2020 The man then went to a different aisle and placed all the items into plastic bags. — cleveland, "Thief has surf and turf on his menu: Middleburg Heights Police Blotter," 26 June 2020 He’s similarly unimpressed by efforts to implement plastic barriers, playground closures, or any other measure beyond common-sense distancing and hygiene. — David Zweig, Wired, "It’s Ridiculous to Treat Schools Like Covid Hot Zones," 24 June 2020 Exceptions would be made for medical reasons or if plastic barriers were in place to prevent transmission of the virus. — Alia Malik, ExpressNews.com, "Small classes, masks, lots of sanitizer — UTSA panel proposes coronavirus safeguards," 19 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plastic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.