urethane

noun ure·thane \ ˈyu̇r-ə-ˌthān \

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

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

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
Instead of the unfired, fossil-like blend of clay and cement the artist usually employs, these toneless statues are of urethane foam coated with licks of matte industrial paint.

— jason farago, New York Times, "A Mini-Met Mashup on the Museum’s Roof, With Summer Views," 13 Apr. 2017
Surfers are some of the most ardent environmentalists, yet their sport is awash in petrochemicals and carcinogens, from neoprene wetsuits and urethane leashes to polyurethane boards and epoxy.

— blanca myers, WIRED, "Shaper’s All-Natural Boards Bring Sustainability Back to Surfing," 21 Aug. 2012

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