microplastic
noun
mi·cro·plas·tic
ˌmī-krō-ˈpla-stik 
plural microplastics
1
: a very small piece of plastic especially when occurring as an environmental pollutant
—usually used in plural
… the microplastics that have made their way into the food chain and even the air we breathe.—
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times… the Mariana Trench contains the highest levels of microplastics (most likely from clothing, bottles, packaging and fishing gear) yet found in the open ocean, offering irrefutable proof that plastics have penetrated even the most remote places on the planet.—Rina Li
Rina Li
specifically
: a piece of plastic that is five millimeters or smaller in size
Indeed, a handful of sand or cup of seawater from nearly anywhere in the world will probably be peppered with microplastics—pieces that are tinier than a small pea and often invisible. —Jennifer Ackerman
Jennifer Ackerman 2
: material consisting of microplastics
Most of that microplastic is coming not from broken down plastic soda bottles or shopping bags but textiles and clothing made of synthetic materials like polyester.—Dharna Noor
compare nanoplastic
Dharna Noor
microplastic
adjective
microplastic pollution
microplastic debris
Examples of microplastic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Experts call for more research before parents panic—and offer ways to reduce exposure to microplastics in the meantime.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 24 Apr. 2025
Besides using the laser on bodily fluids to test for plastic compounds, this technology can also help determine the amount of microplastics in drinking water, leading to healthier bodies and water sources.
—Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Perhaps more alarming for consumers is the discovery that a single plastic teabag can release approximately 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billionnano plastics into a cup of tea.
—Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Bad news for gum lovers There are many ways for microplastics to find their way into our bodies, including food, water bottles and tea bags.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for microplastic
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Melissa Willets, Parents, 24 Apr. 2025
Besides using the laser on bodily fluids to test for plastic compounds, this technology can also help determine the amount of microplastics in drinking water, leading to healthier bodies and water sources.
—Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2025
Perhaps more alarming for consumers is the discovery that a single plastic teabag can release approximately 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billionnano plastics into a cup of tea.
—Christopher Marquis, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Bad news for gum lovers There are many ways for microplastics to find their way into our bodies, including food, water bottles and tea bags.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for microplastic
Cite this Entry
“Microplastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microplastic. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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