polyethylene

noun

poly·​eth·​yl·​ene ˌpä-lē-ˈe-thə-ˌlēn How to pronounce polyethylene (audio)
: 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 Artificial Christmas trees are typically made out of polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Erin Johnson, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023 Instead, opt for wood, polyethylene, or plastic for your cutting board. Christina Manian, Rdn, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2023 The five-layer design includes non-woven fabric, polyethylene lamination, ploy mesh, another layer of polyethylene lamination, and a layer of aluminized mylar. Meg Carney, Field & Stream, 19 Oct. 2023 Developed by DuPont in the nineteen-fifties, it’s made from polyethylene fibers, spun together at high heat, and used for everything from U.S.P.S. Priority Mail envelopes to P.P.E. Cvijanovic buys it by the roll and tacks sheets, ten feet tall and up to five feet wide, onto his studio wall. Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2023 The rug is made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2023 These materials include hydrogen-rich substances such as water, polyethylene, or hydrogen-rich boron nitride nanotubes. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 12 Oct. 2023 It’s made out of polyethylene knitted together to create the mesh material. Martha Sorren, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Oct. 2023 Made of polyethylene, a heat-resistant plastic, the liner is about 5% of the total cup but a significant piece of its overall carbon footprint. Peter Prengaman, Anchorage Daily News, 17 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polyethylene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

poly- + ethylene

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polyethylene was in 1862

Dictionary Entries Near polyethylene

Cite this Entry

“Polyethylene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polyethylene. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

polyethylene

noun
poly·​eth·​yl·​ene ˌpäl-ē-ˈeth-ə-ˌlēn How to pronounce polyethylene (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce polyethylene (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on polyethylene

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