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

Made with oil-absorbing ingredients, including silica and methyl methacrylate cross polymer, the sunscreen also has humectants and emollients. —Jenny Berg, InStyle, 29 May 2026

Sandwiched in the middle is a sensing and actuation layer composed of an elastic polymer strain sensor embedded with silver nanowires, a conductive fabric heater, liquid-crystal elastomer, and Kapton tape. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026

Instead, Hassanalian has designed the dandelion drones to work with piezoelectricity, made from a flexible polymer which generates an electric charge. —Tom Brown, Space.com, 25 May 2026

To build the material, the researchers embedded VO₂ into microscopic fiber-like structures within a flexible polymer layer. —New Atlas, 25 May 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