polystyrene
noun
poly·sty·rene
ˌpä-lē-ˈstī-ˌrēn 
: a polymer of styrene
especially
: a rigid transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and electrical insulating properties and is used especially in molded products, foams, and sheet materials
Examples of polystyrene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Meanwhile, polystyrene—the plastic Zeglio and Herland added to the semiconductors—is commercially produced at large scales and a fraction of the cost.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 8 Apr. 2024
Other types, including polyvinyl chloride or vinyl (PVC), polyamide nylon (PA), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), which is typically used in plastic foam, were likely introduced to the water before it was packaged since the packaging was not made from these materials.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 Mar. 2024
In hard tap water samples that contained 300 milligrams of CaCO3 per liter of water, the researchers were able to use the boil-and-filter technique to remove up to 80% of free-floating NMPs, including polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene.1
Soft tap water samples were trickier.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2024
The exemptions for those businesses were intentionally timed to end when a state polystyrene ban is expected to take effect on Jan. 1 next year.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
Nissin said that its decision to switch from a polystyrene cup to a paper one was partly an environmental one.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2023
Nearly all national and regional restaurant chains long ago stopped using polystyrene in response to lobbying from environmental groups and backlash from customers concerned that foam isn’t biodegradable.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
Solo cups and other plastic dishware are also often contaminated, and they're made from a type of plastic, polystyrene, that is more difficult and expensive to recycle than other, more durable types of plastic ― such as those used in soda and laundry detergent bottles, Stevens said.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2024
But there’re so many other fillers beside polystyrene, right?
—Evan Moffitt, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
IEEE Spectrum, 8 Apr. 2024
Other types, including polyvinyl chloride or vinyl (PVC), polyamide nylon (PA), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), which is typically used in plastic foam, were likely introduced to the water before it was packaged since the packaging was not made from these materials.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, Health, 16 Mar. 2024
In hard tap water samples that contained 300 milligrams of CaCO3 per liter of water, the researchers were able to use the boil-and-filter technique to remove up to 80% of free-floating NMPs, including polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene.1
Soft tap water samples were trickier.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2024
The exemptions for those businesses were intentionally timed to end when a state polystyrene ban is expected to take effect on Jan. 1 next year.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
Nissin said that its decision to switch from a polystyrene cup to a paper one was partly an environmental one.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2023
Nearly all national and regional restaurant chains long ago stopped using polystyrene in response to lobbying from environmental groups and backlash from customers concerned that foam isn’t biodegradable.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
Solo cups and other plastic dishware are also often contaminated, and they're made from a type of plastic, polystyrene, that is more difficult and expensive to recycle than other, more durable types of plastic ― such as those used in soda and laundry detergent bottles, Stevens said.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2024
But there’re so many other fillers beside polystyrene, right?
—Evan Moffitt, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polystyrene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near polystyrene
Cite this Entry
“Polystyrene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polystyrene. Accessed 3 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polystyrene
noun
poly·sty·rene
ˌpäl-i-ˈstī(ə)r-ˌēn
: a stiff transparent plastic used chiefly in molded products, foams, and sheet materials
Medical Definition
polystyrene
noun
poly·sty·rene
ˌpäl-i-ˈstī(ə)r-ˌēn
: a polymer of styrene
especially
: a rigid transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and electrical insulating properties and is used especially in molded products, foams, and sheet materials
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