polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpä-lə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units

polymeric

ˌpä-lə-ˈmer-ik 

adjective

polymerism

pə-ˈli-mə-ˌri-zəm  ˈpä-lə-mə- 

noun

polymerlike

ˈpä-lə-mər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of polymer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Frequently, both the synthetic fibers and the coatings materials scientists add to them are made up of polymers, which are long chains of molecules. —Cara Ocobock, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2026

Highly acidic foods donate hydrogen ions that react with and break down these long chain polymers called plastic. —Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026

The vegan formula tubes, lengthens, and volumizes by coating each lash in lightweight fibers and film-forming polymers for striking definition. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2026

The research is led by Beibei Jiang, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, whose team is working on a composite solid electrolyte that combines ceramic and polymer components. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, back-formation from polymeric, from Greek polymerēs having many parts, from poly- + meros part — more at merit entry 1

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing polymer

• high polymer

Rhymes for polymer

• biopolymer
• homopolymer
• copolymer

Kids Definition

polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds that is formed by combination of smaller molecules and consists basically of repeating structural units

polymeric

ˌpäl-ə-ˈmer-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units