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

Unlike traditional approaches, HydroSpread lets ultrathin polymer films form directly on water, eliminating the fragile and error-prone step of transferring films from rigid surfaces. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2025

In translucent polymer clay and pigments, the artworks are colored in emerald green and cobalt blue and are part of the collaboration with Secci Gallery. —Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025

An accelerator has cross-linked those polymers to make the plastics and synthetic rubber more durable. —Paul Sutter, Space.com, 23 Sep. 2025

Polish is made with polymers that harden and set when exposed to UV or LED light. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Sep. 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