plastination
noun
plas·ti·na·tion
ˌpla-stə-ˈnā-shən 
: a technique for the preservation of biological tissue that involves replacing water and fat in tissue with a polymer (such as silicone or polyester) to produce a dry durable specimen for anatomical study
Examples of plastination in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The displays are created using the plastination process, invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977.
—
Marcy De Luna, Houston Chronicle, 14 Oct. 2020
The experts said plastination, which is a way of preserving entire human bodies, should require separate consent because the preservation is more permanent and the bodies are often publicly displayed.
—Stephanie Innes, azcentral, 19 July 2019
According to its website, Body Worlds is an educational exhibition that showcases real human bodies that have been preserved through the process of plastination.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 18 June 2018
Body Worlds bills itself as the world’s first public display of human plastination.
—Jennifer Swann, Los Angeles Magazine, 15 Jan. 2018
Although his work might seem strange today, consider Bodyworlds and other modern exhibits that use plastination to preserve slices of human cadavers for the entertainment (and edification?) of the general public.
—Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, 28 Mar. 2017
The famed scientist invented plastination, which is the process of preserving a specimen by replacing its water and fat content with different plastics.
—Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, 21 July 2017
Daniel Engber (@danengber) wrote about the inventor of body plastination in issue 21.02.
—Daniel Engber, WIRED, 18 Nov. 2014
Although his work might seem strange today, consider Bodyworlds and other modern exhibits that use plastination to preserve slices of human cadavers for the entertainment (and edification?) of the general public.
—Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, 28 Mar. 2017
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Marcy De Luna, Houston Chronicle, 14 Oct. 2020
The experts said plastination, which is a way of preserving entire human bodies, should require separate consent because the preservation is more permanent and the bodies are often publicly displayed.
—Stephanie Innes, azcentral, 19 July 2019
According to its website, Body Worlds is an educational exhibition that showcases real human bodies that have been preserved through the process of plastination.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 18 June 2018
Body Worlds bills itself as the world’s first public display of human plastination.
—Jennifer Swann, Los Angeles Magazine, 15 Jan. 2018
Although his work might seem strange today, consider Bodyworlds and other modern exhibits that use plastination to preserve slices of human cadavers for the entertainment (and edification?) of the general public.
—Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, 28 Mar. 2017
The famed scientist invented plastination, which is the process of preserving a specimen by replacing its water and fat content with different plastics.
—Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian, 21 July 2017
Daniel Engber (@danengber) wrote about the inventor of body plastination in issue 21.02.
—Daniel Engber, WIRED, 18 Nov. 2014
Although his work might seem strange today, consider Bodyworlds and other modern exhibits that use plastination to preserve slices of human cadavers for the entertainment (and edification?) of the general public.
—Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, 28 Mar. 2017
Cite this Entry
“Plastination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plastination. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share