polystyrene
noun
poly·sty·rene
ˌpä-lē-ˈstī-ˌrēn 
: 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
Examples of polystyrene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
House Bill 5524 would prohibit restaurants and other food service businesses from using polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam, for takeout, while also limiting items like utensils, napkins and straws.
—
Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Reports on abysmally low rates of recycling for milk cartons and polystyrene had been widely shared even before that.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Previous efforts to ban the use of polystyrene or single-use plastics in Connecticut have fallen short in the face of opposition from the food industry, as well as public grumbling over the quality of more environmentally-friendly alternatives, such as paper straws.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
Scientists can link individual petrochemical molecules to form polymers, which are long chains of repeating units that create materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene.
—André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polystyrene
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Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 18 Mar. 2026
Reports on abysmally low rates of recycling for milk cartons and polystyrene had been widely shared even before that.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Previous efforts to ban the use of polystyrene or single-use plastics in Connecticut have fallen short in the face of opposition from the food industry, as well as public grumbling over the quality of more environmentally-friendly alternatives, such as paper straws.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026
Scientists can link individual petrochemical molecules to form polymers, which are long chains of repeating units that create materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene.
—André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for polystyrene
Cite this Entry
“Polystyrene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polystyrene. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polystyrene
noun
poly·sty·rene
ˌpäl-i-ˈstī(ə)r-ˌēn
: a stiff transparent plastic used chiefly in molded products, foams, and sheet materials
Medical Definition
polystyrene
noun
poly·sty·rene
ˌpäl-i-ˈstī(ə)r-ˌēn
: 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
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