1
a
: any of various solid or semisolid amorphous fusible flammable natural organic substances that are usually transparent or translucent and yellowish to brown, are formed especially in plant secretions, are soluble in organic solvents (such as ether) but not in water, are electrical nonconductors, and are used chiefly in varnishes, printing inks, plastics, and sizes and in medicine
b
: rosin
2
a
: any of a large class of synthetic products that have some of the physical properties of natural resins but are different chemically and are used chiefly in plastics
b
: any of various products made from a natural resin or a natural polymer
Examples of resin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 May 2025
Chemicals used for white smoke: potassium chlorate, lactose and rosin – a natural amber resin from conifers.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
Adrienne Jordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2021
Not resin, not pine tar, not sunscreen, just Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud is permitted.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 24 June 2021
See All Example Sentences for resin
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Noun
The conclave used a combination of potassium chlorate, lactose and chloroform resin to create the white smoke.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 May 2025
Chemicals used for white smoke: potassium chlorate, lactose and rosin – a natural amber resin from conifers.
—Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
Verb
Next, consider the best shed material—options range from steel to resin to wood—for your home's climate.
—Adrienne Jordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2021
Not resin, not pine tar, not sunscreen, just Lena Blackburne Baseball Rubbing Mud is permitted.
—Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 24 June 2021
See All Example Sentences for resin
Cite this Entry
“Resin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resin. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
resin
noun
res·in
ˈrez-ᵊn 
1
a
: any of various solid or semisolid amorphous fusible flammable natural organic substances that are usually transparent or translucent and yellowish to brown, are formed especially in plant secretions, are soluble in organic solvents (as ether) but not in water, and are electrical nonconductors
b
: rosin
c
: a solid pharmaceutical preparation consisting chiefly of the resinous principles of a drug or drugs usually extracted by solvents
resin of jalap
2
a
: any of a large class of synthetic products that have some of the physical properties of natural resins but are different chemically and are used chiefly in plastics
b
: any of various products made from a natural resin or a natural polymer
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