plastic

noun

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 Phrases Containing plastic Learn More About plastic

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 The ban does not include soda bottles and plastic packaging for chips and other snacks. — New York Times, 31 July 2022 The wires, screens and batteries that make up our devices—not to mention the plastic, metal and other materials that encase them—are filling up landfills with hazardous debris. — Anna Blaustein, Scientific American, 29 July 2022 The eco-friendly move, set to begin Aug. 1, is part of Coca-Cola's nod to supporting a circular economy for plastic packaging. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE.com, 28 July 2022 Plastic floats shouldn't be left in the sun or stored in the pool because heat and water can wear the plastic down over time. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 July 2022 In 2019 Hasbro issued a pledge to stop using plastic packaging by the end of this year. — Joan Verdon, Forbes, 7 June 2022 Eliminate single-use plastic packaging in favor of greener alternatives like reusable bags and compostable wrappings. — Outside Online, 8 Mar. 2022 As Polliard instructed the traveler and her husband to take their many bags and go through a secondary round of inspections, Hair-E lurched toward a red plastic bag a carousel away, already following the lure of the next scent. — Linda Qiu, BostonGlobe.com, 23 July 2022 If the soft serve needs to firm up a bit more, transfer it to a container with a lid or even a standard loaf pan, cover with plastic, place in the freezer and chill at most a few hours after blending. — Christian Reynoso, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 July 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Only 5% of plastic waste in the U.S. is recycled, according to a recent Energy Department report. — Alyssa Lukpat, WSJ, 28 July 2022 Globally, packaging is the largest source of plastic waste. — Lavonne Roberts, Washington Post, 26 July 2022 Bring gloves, bags and buckets to the cleanup, which also aims to gather data in the ongoing battle to protect our health and environment from plastic waste. — Matt Pawlik, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2022 As plastic waste becomes an increasingly damaging problem around the world, more people are looking to avoid food packaging, which usually ends up in landfills or polluting the ocean. — Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 July 2022 California’s Governor Gavin Newsom signed new legislation last week aimed at reducing plastic waste in the state. — Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 July 2022 During the first few several years of life, the brain is extremely plastic. — USA Today, 15 June 2022 The lone camera on the back looked like a bargain-basement pinhole camera, and the back might even be plastic. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 23 May 2022 The presumption is that brain circuits are highly plastic and that any arbitrary input can alter the activity of neuronal circuits. — György Buzsáki, Scientific American, 14 May 2022 See More

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.