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
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
Outdoor rugs are typically made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, or polypropylene.
—Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2023
The team also studied the composition of the microplastics and established the presence of polyesters (including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and others), polystyrene, polyamide and polyethylene.
—Sharmila Vaidyanathan, Quartz, 10 Apr. 2023
Glitter is commonly made of a plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is coated with aluminum to create a reflective surface.
—Carla Delgado, Discover Magazine, 9 Mar. 2022
But, using a catalyst made from common metals, researchers at Tsinghua University in Beijing have converted samples of PET plastic (full name polyethylene terephthalate) into commercially useful chemicals, along with hydrogen which can be used for fuel.
—David Vetter, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2021
And in 2016, scientists in Japan discovered a bacterium living near a recycling facility that had developed an appetite for polyethylene terephthalate, one of the plastics that the facility processed.
—Brianna Barbu, Discover Magazine, 20 July 2021
Circulate has backed at least seven companies through its Ocean Fund so far, including Nepra Waste Management Pvt. Ltd., an Indian waste collection company, and Tridi Oasis, an Indonesian plastic bottle recycler that produces polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, flakes, an industrial material.
—Laura Kreutzer, WSJ, 22 June 2021
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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
Outdoor rugs are typically made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyester, or polypropylene.
—Jamie Weissman, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2023
The team also studied the composition of the microplastics and established the presence of polyesters (including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and others), polystyrene, polyamide and polyethylene.
—Sharmila Vaidyanathan, Quartz, 10 Apr. 2023
Glitter is commonly made of a plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is coated with aluminum to create a reflective surface.
—Carla Delgado, Discover Magazine, 9 Mar. 2022
But, using a catalyst made from common metals, researchers at Tsinghua University in Beijing have converted samples of PET plastic (full name polyethylene terephthalate) into commercially useful chemicals, along with hydrogen which can be used for fuel.
—David Vetter, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2021
And in 2016, scientists in Japan discovered a bacterium living near a recycling facility that had developed an appetite for polyethylene terephthalate, one of the plastics that the facility processed.
—Brianna Barbu, Discover Magazine, 20 July 2021
Circulate has backed at least seven companies through its Ocean Fund so far, including Nepra Waste Management Pvt. Ltd., an Indian waste collection company, and Tridi Oasis, an Indonesian plastic bottle recycler that produces polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, flakes, an industrial material.
—Laura Kreutzer, WSJ, 22 June 2021
See More
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1868, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near terephthalate
Cite this Entry
“Terephthalate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/terephthalate. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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