polymer
Americannoun
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a compound of high molecular weight derived either by the addition of many smaller molecules, as polyethylene, or by the condensation of many smaller molecules with the elimination of water, alcohol, or the like, as nylon.
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a compound formed from two or more polymeric compounds.
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a product of polymerization.
noun
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Any of various chemical compounds made of smaller, identical molecules (called monomers) linked together. Some polymers, like cellulose, occur naturally, while others, like nylon, are artificial. Polymers have extremely high molecular weights, make up many of the tissues of organisms, and have extremely varied and versatile uses in industry, such as in making plastics, concrete, glass, and rubber.
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◆ The process by which molecules are linked together to form polymers is called polymerization (pŏl′ə-lĭm′ər-ĭ-zā|||PRIMARY_STRESS|||shən).
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Proteins and many carbohydrates, such as cellulose, are polymers. Plastics are also polymers.
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Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of polymer
First recorded in 1865–70, polymer is from the Greek word polymerḗs having many parts. See poly-, -mer
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How does polymer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
A polymer is a very large, chain-like molecule made up of monomers, which are small molecules. It can be naturally occurring or synthetic. What's a mer? — you might ask. Well, it means "part," and it works only as a suffix. Since poly- means "many," a polymer means "many parts." You'll find polymers everywhere: they're what make spandex stretch and sneakers bounce. They're the plastic drink bottles that you're always careful to recycle. Natural polymers include leather, rubber, and even the cellulose in your french fries and the protein in your chicken nuggets.
Vocabulary lists containing polymer
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Some microorganisms naturally produce enzymes that cut long polymer chains into smaller fragments.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026
They are any type of polymer or plastic less than five millimeters—about the size of a sesame seed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
Although the experiments focused on a single polymer, the researchers believe the same general strategy could be adapted for other materials, including plastics widely used in disposable products.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026
Trokhan had invented the microregions in P&G’s Bounty paper towels that put the soft parts in close proximity to the strong parts, and Sivik the cleaning polymer technology that helps Dawn dish soap remove oil.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026
Woven carbon thread ran slowly through the press, which sandwiched it between polymer sheets.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
The scientists separated different types of polymers from the road dust, including microplastics, larger plastic fragments, and tire rubber.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 28, 2026
MMA is a highly reactive chemical, a monomer that can be used to make polymers of hard, durable, lightweight and transparent plastics.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2026
These tube-like materials can strengthen polymers and metals or guide the movement of ions in batteries and desalination systems with far less resistance.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 31, 2026
Golf balls’ outer layer and inner core are made from synthetic polymers, which are created from chemicals often derived from petroleum.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 21, 2026
The tricky, unsolved thing is how to get the polymers to arrange in membranes and invent replication.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.