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
For example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) often appeared as chunky micrometer-sized shards, likely sloughed off from the bottles themselves, which are frequently made out of PET.
—
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024
Some chemicals, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE), were found in all three brands.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 Mar. 2024
At the time of publication, the study’s algorithm was able to identify seven types of plastics: polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024
The researchers targeted seven common plastic types, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which many water bottles are made from, and polyamide, often used in filters to purify water before it’s bottled.
—Coco Liu, Fortune Well, 10 Jan. 2024
There are also some comforters filled with recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is a durable and lightweight recyclable plastic.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2023
The seven types include: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE): a semi-rigid plastic typically deployed as soda bottles, peanut butter jars, and clothing fibers.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 15 Sep. 2023
The rug is made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic.
—Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2023
Bakelite was followed by polyvinyl chloride, which was, in turn, followed by polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, Styrofoam, Plexiglas, Mylar, Teflon, polyethylene terephthalate (familiarly known as PET)—the list goes on and on.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2024
Some chemicals, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE), were found in all three brands.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 Mar. 2024
At the time of publication, the study’s algorithm was able to identify seven types of plastics: polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024
The researchers targeted seven common plastic types, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which many water bottles are made from, and polyamide, often used in filters to purify water before it’s bottled.
—Coco Liu, Fortune Well, 10 Jan. 2024
There are also some comforters filled with recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is a durable and lightweight recyclable plastic.
—Andrea Wurzburger, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2023
The seven types include: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE): a semi-rigid plastic typically deployed as soda bottles, peanut butter jars, and clothing fibers.
—Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 15 Sep. 2023
The rug is made of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic.
—Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2023
Bakelite was followed by polyvinyl chloride, which was, in turn, followed by polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polyester, polypropylene, Styrofoam, Plexiglas, Mylar, Teflon, polyethylene terephthalate (familiarly known as PET)—the list goes on and on.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'terephthalate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near terephthalate
Cite this Entry
“Terephthalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terephthalate. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share