melamine

noun

mel·​a·​mine ˈme-lə-ˌmēn 

1

: a white crystalline organic base C₃H₆N₆ with a high melting point that is used especially in melamine resins

2

: a melamine resin or a plastic made from such a resin

Examples of melamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Walmart wine glasses and goblets, now available in green, that’ll pair perfectly with the new melamine dining pieces. —Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2025

After experimenting with a range of materials, the scientists created nano-sized plastic beads made from melamine and formaldehyde. —Michael Franco, New Atlas, 16 Mar. 2025

Magic eraser: For scuff marks and stubborn dirt, magic erasers ($7) made of melamine can be amazingly effective. —Simon Hill, WIRED, 7 July 2024

In 2008, China was rocked by one of its worst food safety scandals when melamine, a chemical used in plastic, was added to milk which poisoned 300,000 children and caused the deaths of six children. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 19 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

German Melamin

First Known Use

circa 1835, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing melamine

• melamine resin

Rhymes for melamine

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Medical Definition

melamine

noun

mel·​a·​mine ˈmel-ə-ˌmēn 

1

: a white crystalline organic base C₃H₆N₆ with a high melting point that is used especially in making resins by reaction with aldehydes

2

: a resin made from melamine or a plastic made from such a resin