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

Engaging suppliers behind polymer chips, fibers, dyes, chemicals, packaging and more, the initiative focuses on improving sustainability measurement by onboarding them to Cascale’s Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM), setting targets and developing action items for carbon reduction. —Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 20 Mar. 2026

How the blades are made GE Aerospace‘s composite fan blades are built from carbon fibers woven into a polymer resin matrix. —Munis Raza, Interesting Engineering, 18 Mar. 2026

Cellulose, like chitin, is a carbohydrate polymer – a chain of repeating carbohydrate units – and it is obtained from plants. —J. Carson Meredith, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026

And resins and polymers used in packaging largely comes from the region, too. —David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 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