terephthalate

noun

tere·​phthal·​ate ˌter-ə(f)-ˈtha-ˌlāt 

: a salt or ester of terephthalic acid

especially : a dimethyl-ester that is a major starting material for polyester fibers and coatings

Examples of terephthalate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But rates for colored, nonfood containers made of plastics that are commonly used in deodorant applicators — like high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) — ranged from around 44% to 64%. —Denise Chow, NBC news, 27 Nov. 2025

The French biotechnology firm just signed two multi-year commercial agreements with major players in a novel sector—the beverage industry—for the supply of recycled polyethylene terephthalate, more commonly known as rPET. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 27 Nov. 2025

Last month in the journal Energy & Fuels, the Michigan Technological University team published a new method for converting polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the material that makes up single-use plastic water bottles, into both electrodes and separators. —Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2025

Single-use plastic bottles are made of a thin plastic known as polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for terephthalate

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate