polyethylene

noun

poly·​eth·​yl·​ene ˌpä-lē-ˈe-thə-ˌlēn 

: a polymer of ethylene

especially : any of various partially crystalline lightweight thermoplastics (CH₂CH₂)_x that are resistant to chemicals and moisture, have good insulating properties, and are used especially in packaging and insulation

Examples of polyethylene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Founded in 2009, Pelita focuses on polyethylene recycling and blow-film manufacturing. —Rob Kaplan, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025

Since 2014, California has worked to eliminate single-use plastic bags from grocery stores and have recently taken a step further by passing legislation that would do away with the thicker plastic bags made of high-density polyethylene, or HDPE. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025

Ice cream tubes are typically made of high-density polyethylene, which resists cracking under freezing conditions. —Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025

The researchers found a significant amount of polyethylene, for example, the dominant type of plastic produced in the 1960s, but less of the plastic used in water bottles, which took off in the 1990s. —Nina Agrawal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

poly- + ethylene

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing polyethylene

• polyethylene glycol

Rhymes for polyethylene

• antisubmarine
• catecholamine
• dichlorobenzene
• dimethylamine
• diphenylamine
• ethanolamine
• hydroxylamine
• isobutylene
• mercaptopurine
• nucleoprotein
• penicillamine
• phenothiazine

Kids Definition

polyethylene

noun

poly·​eth·​yl·​ene ˌpäl-ē-ˈeth-ə-ˌlēn 

: a lightweight plastic resistant to chemicals and moisture and used chiefly in packaging

Medical Definition

polyethylene

noun

poly·​eth·​yl·​ene ˌpäl-ē-ˈeth-ə-ˌlēn 

: a polymer of ethylene

especially : any of various lightweight thermoplastics (CH₂CH₂)_x that are resistant to chemicals and moisture and are used especially in packaging, insulation, surgical implants, prostheses, and tubing