polyurethane

noun

poly·​ure·​thane ˌpä-lē-ˈyu̇r-ə-ˌthān 

: any of various polymers that contain NHCOO linkages and are used especially in flexible and rigid foams, elastomers, and resins (as for coatings)

Examples of polyurethane in a Sentence

The floor will need two coats of polyurethane.

Recent Examples on the Web

These toxic chemicals were added to polyurethane foam and were not chemically bound. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025

Many faux-leather and polyurethane materials rely on petrochemical inputs sourced from Asia, which also fall under the new tariff schedules. —Luke Fountain, CNBC, 25 Dec. 2025

Humanetics uses polyurethane, which can be anything from floppy to firm depending on the recipe; the pink goo can be spotted oozing out from the seams of metal molds. —Camila Domonoske, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025

Made of soft polyurethane and hand-finished with a patented material named Guflac, this subtle yet surreal piece was modeled in a shape guided by the theme of irregular, spontaneous movement. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for polyurethane

• diazomethane
• dichloroethane
• dichloromethane
• trichloroethane
• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine