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

The new collection features 51 products, including club chairs, outdoor sofas, coffee tables, and multi-piece bundles made from a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025

Developed by researchers from Adelaide University, the method is a universal and scalable to upcycle common plastics — including PET, PVC, polyethylene and polypropylene and their mixtures — into single-atom catalysts (SACs). —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025

Last month in the journal Energy & Fuels, the Michigan Technological University team published a new method for converting polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the material that makes up single-use plastic water bottles, into both electrodes and separators. —Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2025

The new wetsuits that worked best were made of strong and light fiber that is often used to make sailing rope and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 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