resin

1 of 2

noun

res·​in ˈre-zᵊn 

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

resinous

ˈre-zᵊn-əs 

ˈrez-nəs

adjective

resin

2 of 2

verb

resined; resining ˈre-zᵊn-iŋ 

ˈrez-niŋ

transitive verb

: to treat with resin

Examples of resin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Thanks to weather-resistant resin, the piece is waterproof, increasing its longevity year after year. —Clint Davis, People.com, 17 June 2025

Suddenly, the village ‘s vital resource, resin, comes under attack from an unknown ring of thieves. —Kevin Giraud, Variety, 12 June 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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French reisine, from Latin resina; akin to Greek rhētinē pine resin

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1865, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing resin

• acrylic resin
• epoxy resin
• gum resin
• ion exchange resin
• melamine resin
• resin canal
• synthetic resin
• vinyl resin

Rhymes for resin

• muezzin

Kids Definition

resin

noun

res·​in

ˈrez-ᵊn

1

: any of various yellowish or brownish substances (as rosin) that are obtained from the gum or sap of some trees (as the pine) and are used in varnishes and plastics and in medicine

2

: any of various manufactured products that are similar to natural resins in properties and are used chiefly in plastics

resinous

ˈrez-nəs

-ᵊn-əs

adjective

Medical 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