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
Kauai has banned the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable polystyrene foam bodyboards.
—
Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
The team levitated different objects including polystyrene beads, water and fabric.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
Investigators say the five-alarm fire spread rapidly because of substandard mesh netting that covered bamboo scaffolding erected around the buildings for renovations, as well as highly flammable polystyrene boards that were sealed to the windows.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
Officials are also investigating whether flammable materials, including polystyrene boards blocking several apartment windows, contributed to the disaster.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polystyrene
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Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
The team levitated different objects including polystyrene beads, water and fabric.
—Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
Investigators say the five-alarm fire spread rapidly because of substandard mesh netting that covered bamboo scaffolding erected around the buildings for renovations, as well as highly flammable polystyrene boards that were sealed to the windows.
—Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 4 Dec. 2025
Officials are also investigating whether flammable materials, including polystyrene boards blocking several apartment windows, contributed to the disaster.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for polystyrene
Cite this Entry
“Polystyrene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polystyrene. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.
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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