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 ˈpä-lə-mə- polymerlike
ˈpä-lə-mər-ˌlīk
adjective 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The hardy exoskeletons of crabs and their marine ilk are rich in useful, versatile chemicals like calcium carbonate, which has medicinal and industrial uses, and chitin, the second-most abundant natural polymer found on Earth. 
Miriam Fauzia, Popular Mechanics, 8 Sep. 2022 Its $49 CoolLife Tee is made from polyethylene, the same polymer used in plastic bags. Christopher Flavelle, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2022 During this process of biodegradation, microbes consume the polymer as food and leave behind organic products such as carbon dioxide. Spencer Donovan, ajc, 20 Aug. 2022 On the control polymer, by contrast, dendrites of sodium with sharp edges formed. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 6 July 2022 The polymer used in this ski boot comes from castor oil, which is extracted from a non-edible crop. Outside Online, 9 Mar. 2022 The researchers spend a lot of the paper simply cycling sodium into and out of the polymer and seeing what happens. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 6 July 2022 Now, the icy continent at the southern tip of the world — which is visited mostly by scientists — joins the remote reaches of the planet where researchers have documented the presence of these tiny pieces of polymer. Evan Bush, NBC News, 9 June 2022 Genuine Maxtrax employ a proprietary fibrous nylon polymer that flexes to avoid cracking, and will stand up to years, if not decades, of repeat use. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 30 July 2022 See More
Miriam Fauzia, Popular Mechanics, 8 Sep. 2022 Its $49 CoolLife Tee is made from polyethylene, the same polymer used in plastic bags. Christopher Flavelle, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2022 During this process of biodegradation, microbes consume the polymer as food and leave behind organic products such as carbon dioxide. Spencer Donovan, ajc, 20 Aug. 2022 On the control polymer, by contrast, dendrites of sodium with sharp edges formed. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 6 July 2022 The polymer used in this ski boot comes from castor oil, which is extracted from a non-edible crop. Outside Online, 9 Mar. 2022 The researchers spend a lot of the paper simply cycling sodium into and out of the polymer and seeing what happens. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 6 July 2022 Now, the icy continent at the southern tip of the world — which is visited mostly by scientists — joins the remote reaches of the planet where researchers have documented the presence of these tiny pieces of polymer. Evan Bush, NBC News, 9 June 2022 Genuine Maxtrax employ a proprietary fibrous nylon polymer that flexes to avoid cracking, and will stand up to years, if not decades, of repeat use. Wes Siler, Outside Online, 30 July 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
polymer
noun
poly·mer ˈpä-lə-mər
: a chemical compound that is made of small molecules that are arranged in a simple repeating structure to form a larger molecule
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