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

resin

2 of 2

verb

transitive verb

: to treat with resin

Examples of resin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
After removing the protective packaging materials, installing the build platform and resin vat, and attaching the resin feed system, the printer is essentially ready to go. Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026 The manner of storage of the cotton and other flammable items—such as sulfur, fish manure, oil drums, and resin—did not align with common safety practices of the time. Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 Aug. 2026
Verb
HeyGears clearly expects some buyers to be new to resin printing, and the setup instructions reflect that. Michael Lydick, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for resin

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

1760, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of resin was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Resin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/resin. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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

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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