polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpä-lə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units

polymeric

ˌpä-lə-ˈmer-ik 

adjective

polymerism

pə-ˈli-mə-ˌri-zəm  ˈpä-lə-mə- 

noun

polymerlike

ˈpä-lə-mər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of polymer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

It's composed mainly of a flexible biocompatible polymer, and is adhered to the face beside the eye via a medical adhesive. — Ben Coxworth october 23, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026

This is due to the slow action of microbes on synthetic plastic polymers that are currently in use. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026

The inner screen has a titanium backplate, and the nanotexture cover layer is made of a polymer that Apple says is scratch-resistant. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026

It's powered by a film-forming polymer that creates a lightweight, flexible film on the lips. — Sheryl George, Allure, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, back-formation from polymeric, from Greek polymerēs having many parts, from poly- + meros part — more at merit entry 1

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing polymer

• high polymer

Rhymes for polymer

• biopolymer
• homopolymer
• copolymer

Kids Definition

polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds that is formed by combination of smaller molecules and consists basically of repeating structural units

polymeric

ˌpäl-ə-ˈmer-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units