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

Through a specialized molten salt treatment, the long polymer chains in polyethylene are broken down into fuel-grade molecules. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Apr. 2026

Store in a spray bottle for easy dispensing, but make sure the bottle can handle the acidity (such as a glass or high-density polyethylene bottle). —Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 8 Apr. 2026

Middle Eastern producers — responsible for more than 40% of 2025 exports of polyethylene, a common plastic in bags and bottles — have also scaled back. —Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 6 Apr. 2026

That’s largely because about 84% of Middle East polyethylene capacity relies on the Strait of Hormuz for waterborne exports, according to a note from Harrison Jacoby, director of PE at ICIS. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026

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