polystyrene

noun poly·sty·rene \ ˌpä-lē-ˈstī-ˌrēn \

Definition of polystyrene

:a polymer of styrene; especially :a rigid transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and electrical insulating properties and is used especially in molded products, foams, and sheet materials

See polystyrene defined for kids

Recent Examples of polystyrene from the Web

The polystyrene was transformed into a compressed hydrocarbon liquid.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Conditions like those inside Neptune cause diamond formation," 27 Aug. 2017
According to a press release, the team exposed polystyrene, a type of plastic composed of carbon and hydrogen, to shock waves produced by a high-powered optical laser and x-rays.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "It May Rain Diamonds Inside Neptune and Uranus," 23 Aug. 2017
In the new experiment, polystyrene spheres were sliced in the shape of a spherical cap, mimicking the shape of a spore.

— kenneth chang, New York Times, "Fungi Physics: How Those Spores Launch Just Right," 27 July 2017
The 3.5 meter-tall (11.5-feet) grey, polystyrene figures depict detainees who were tortured and humiliated to force them to become communists.

— alison mutler, The Seattle Times, "Romania: Art exhibit at ex-prison show horrors of communism," 21 July 2017
The new rules prohibit use of polystyrene in any county park, a portfolio that includes marinas, beaches and parkland covering roughly 13,500 acres.

— douglas hanks, miamiherald, "Styrofoam ban starts Saturday in Miami-Dade parks: ‘That’s the end of Cuban coffee in parks’," 30 June 2017
During a pilot recycling effort, more than 20, 95-gallon carts piled up, filled with polystyrene products.

— anne geggis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Taking aim against pollution, Deerfield restricts polystyrene food packaging," 23 June 2017
Because polystyrene doesn’t biodegrade like organic material does, the foam material has become a target for institutions and cities looking to minimize the harm to the environment.

— anne geggis, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Taking aim against pollution, Deerfield restricts polystyrene food packaging," 23 June 2017
Siegel Lara said, noting that the ordinance would tie into a previous ordinance passed last year that prohibits the use of styrofoam or expanded polystyrene.

— monique o. madan, miamiherald, "Palmetto Bay on way to banning single-use plastic bags at city events," 6 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'polystyrene.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of polystyrene

1927

Medical Dictionary

polystyrene

noun poly·sty·rene \ ˌpäl-i-ˈstī(ə)r-ˌēn \

medical Definition of polystyrene

:a polymer of styrene; especially :a rigid transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and electrical insulating properties and is used especially in molded products, foams, and sheet materials