polystyrene
noun
poly·sty·rene
ˌpä-lē-ˈstī-ˌrēn 
: a polymer of styrene
especially
: a rigid transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and electrical insulating properties and is used especially in molded products, foams, and sheet materials
Examples of polystyrene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bristle materials The most common bristle materials include bass, tampico, corn, polystyrene and polyester.
—
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Styrofoam From takeout cartons to coffee cups and egg cartons to packaging, polystyrene foam or Styrofoam should not go into your recycling bin.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
Other companies and trade groups that manufacture plastics that are banned in California — such as Dart, which produces polystyrene, and plastic bag manufacturers such as Amcor — support the bill.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
The disaster has raised questions about bid-rigging and corruption, as well as negligence by government officials, who have cited substandard mesh netting, polystyrene boards that were sealed to the windows and fire alarm failures as major factors in the fire’s start and rapid spread.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polystyrene
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Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2026
Styrofoam From takeout cartons to coffee cups and egg cartons to packaging, polystyrene foam or Styrofoam should not go into your recycling bin.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
Other companies and trade groups that manufacture plastics that are banned in California — such as Dart, which produces polystyrene, and plastic bag manufacturers such as Amcor — support the bill.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2026
The disaster has raised questions about bid-rigging and corruption, as well as negligence by government officials, who have cited substandard mesh netting, polystyrene boards that were sealed to the windows and fire alarm failures as major factors in the fire’s start and rapid spread.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polystyrene
Cite this Entry
“Polystyrene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polystyrene. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polystyrene
noun
poly·sty·rene
ˌpäl-i-ˈstī(ə)r-ˌēn
: a stiff transparent plastic used chiefly in molded products, foams, and sheet materials
Medical Definition
polystyrene
noun
poly·sty·rene
ˌpäl-i-ˈstī(ə)r-ˌēn
: a polymer of styrene
especially
: a rigid transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and electrical insulating properties and is used especially in molded products, foams, and sheet materials
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