thermoplastic

adjective

ther·​mo·​plas·​tic ˌthər-mə-ˈpla-stik 

: capable of softening or fusing when heated and of hardening again when cooled

thermoplastic synthetic resins

compare thermosetting

thermoplastic noun

thermoplasticity

ˌthər-mə-ˌpla-ˈsti-sə-tē 

noun

Examples of thermoplastic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other historical objects Will Dunn shared include Mary Anderson’s ice axe, catalogues and Freezer Fred, the wonderfully wacky thermoplastic test dummy that helped improve the Magma sleeping bag. — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026

This metal punch press mold functions like slices of bread in a sandwich, stamping hot plastic sheets into lightweight thermoplastic aircraft doors. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026

The thermoplastic rubber cuff puller makes for swift and even positioning. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

These sensory toys are often made of food-grade silicone or thermoplastic rubber for a smooth texture. — Parents, 4 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for thermoplastic

• anaplastic
• bioclastic
• fibroblastic
• hyperplastic
• hypoplastic
• inelastic
• lymphoblastic
• neoplastic
• orgiastic
• periphrastic
• predynastic
• pyroclastic

Kids Definition

thermoplastic

adjective

ther·​mo·​plas·​tic ˌthər-mə-ˈplas-tik 

: capable of softening or melting when heated and of hardening again when cooled

thermoplastic synthetic fibers

Medical Definition

thermoplastic

1 of 2 adjective

ther·​mo·​plas·​tic ˌthər-mə-ˈplas-tik 

: capable of softening or fusing when heated and of hardening again when cooled

thermoplastic synthetic resins

thermoplasticity

-ˌplas-ˈtis-ət-ē 

noun

plural thermoplasticities

thermoplastic

2 of 2 noun

: a thermoplastic material