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

These disposable melamine sponges work well for cleaning a variety of items, but they shouldn't be used on everything. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Apr. 2025

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

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