urethane

noun ure·thane \ ˈyu̇r-ə-ˌthān \

variants: or less commonly urethan play \ˈyu̇r-ə-ˌthan\

|Updated on: 4 Jul 2018

Definition of urethane

1 a : a crystalline compound C₃H₇NO₂ that is the ethyl ester of carbamic acid and is used especially as a solvent and medicinally as an antineoplastic agent

b : an ester of carbamic acid other than the ethyl ester

2 : polyurethane

Recent Examples of urethane from the Web

Underneath, the performer wears a full-body wicking suit, a carbon-fiber head mount held in place by a soft urethane skin, knee and elbow pads, biking gloves, and a mouth guard.

— michael paulson, New York Times, "The Secret Life of Sven," 26 June 2018
Layers of several urethane molds were combined to create a single highly textured image at the same time crews constructed the sound wall.

— zahra ahmad, azcentral, "Loop 101 expansion threatens gargantuan lizards decorating the Scottsdale freeway," 25 June 2018
The bags are made from an extra-durable thermoplastic urethane that resists tears and scratches.

— emily reed, Outside Online, "Why I Love Collapsible Camping Gear," 18 June 2018
Due to last-minute engineering setbacks — three coats of urethane and gobs of glue have doubled the weight of the cardboard — the Fitchburg plane won’t fly on Tuesday.

— graham ambrose, BostonGlobe.com, "In Fitchburg, a plane that’s not so simple," 11 June 2018
The lifelike deer was made of urethane resin and acrylic.

— james charisma, latimes.com, "The hyper-real world of sculptor Erick Swenson comes to life at Honolulu museum," 4 June 2018
Eggshell-white urethane-foam models—scanned to help create the patterns for the wood layers used in stack lamination—line shelves and lie scattered across worktables.

— mark rozzo, Esquire, "Form Follows Freedom," 24 Oct. 2017
The Creeper is supported by three easy-rolling urethane casters.

— mark maynard, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Helping hands for DIY in the garage," 2 Aug. 2017
In the beginning with the urethane wheels and stuff, Kevin was one of the leaders.

— karen d'souza, The Mercury News, "Santa Cruz surf icon to homeless beach bum: The fall of Kevin Reed," 2 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'urethane.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of urethane

French uréthane, from ur- ¹ur- + éth- eth- + -ane

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1838

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

urethane

noun ure·thane \ ˈyu̇r-ə-ˌthān \

variants: or urethan play \-ˌthan\

medical Definition of urethane

1 : a crystalline compound C₃H₇NO₂ that is the ethyl ester of carbamic acid and is used especially as a solvent and in anesthetizing laboratory animals — called also ethyl carbamate

2 : an ester of carbamic acid other than the ethyl ester