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
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
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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
First Known Use
1862, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing polyethylene
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.
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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
More from Merriam-Webster on polyethylene
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polyethylene
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