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

polymerlike

ˈpä-lə-mər-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of polymer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rubber is a natural polymer and hence may be considered a kind of bioplastic. —Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025

The flexible polymer ensures that the system can both deform and recover back to its original state when the current is no longer applied. —IEEE Spectrum, 12 Aug. 2025

One of the polymer's standout features is its ability to attach to wet tissue when activated using a blue light for about 30 seconds. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 9 Aug. 2025

The resin/polymer ensures the ink is cohesive and even. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025

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

• high polymer

Rhymes for polymer

• biopolymer
• homopolymer
• copolymer

Kids Definition

polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər 

: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds that is formed by combination of smaller molecules and consists basically of repeating structural units

polymeric

ˌpäl-ə-ˈmer-ik 

adjective

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