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

Resin is an excellent option for those familiar with the medium, as well as air-dry clay and polymer clay. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Nov. 2025

Sleeping on one of Purple’s proprietary polymer latex mattresses feels like being cradled but is still supportive with a medium-firm feel—at least according to our editorial operations director Diane Dragan. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 28 Nov. 2025

The researchers applied a mechanical stretching process to align these polymer chains in a single direction. —Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025

Inside the head, there’s a heating unit that melts the polymer. —Charlotte Hu, Popular Science, 27 Nov. 2025

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