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

The formula uses smudge-proof tubing polymers that wrap around each lash and hold up through long days without flaking or smudging. —Lily Wohlner, Allure, 28 Mar. 2026

To address these challenges, researchers designed a hybrid composite actuator that combines shape memory alloys (SMAs) with shape memory polymers (SMPs). —Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026

The affected products included urea, polymers and methanol, used to make fertilizer, plastics, detergents, packaging and other consumer goods. —Vidya Mani, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026

Thanks to their plastic polymer components, most diapers take upwards of 500 years to fully decompose. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 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