nylon

noun

ny·​lon ˈnī-ˌlän 

1

: any of numerous strong tough elastic synthetic polyamide materials that are fashioned into fibers, filaments, bristles, or sheets and used especially in textiles and plastics

2

nylons plural : stockings made of nylon

Examples of nylon in a Sentence

The rope is made of nylon.

Recent Examples on the Web

The material is a durable 70-denier nylon taffeta that’s supremely soft, breathable, cooling, and quick-drying. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025

Its most popular ballet sneaker style is no doubt the square-toed, lace-up Cristina, closely followed by the Yanka and the Yancy, the latter of which is marked by a recycled nylon upper and pays an aesthetic homage to the ’70s trainer. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2025

Scrub the interior with the nylon brush. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025

The ponte fabric—a blend of rayon, nylon, and spandex—is designed to resist wrinkling and pilling. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

coined word

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nylon

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

nylon

noun

ny·​lon ˈnī-ˌlän 

1

: any of numerous strong tough elastic synthetic materials used especially in textiles and plastics

2

plural : stockings made of nylon

nylon adjective

Etymology

coined from meaningless word elements

Medical Definition

nylon

noun

ny·​lon ˈnī-ˌlän 

: any of numerous strong tough elastic synthetic polyamide materials that are fashioned into fibers, filaments, bristles, or sheets

nylon sutures and prosthetic devices