polymer

noun

poly·​mer ˈpä-lə-mər How to pronounce polymer (audio)
: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units
polymeric adjective
polymerlike adjective

Examples of polymer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Termites don’t get a lot of nitrogen in their diet of wood, which is largely comprised of a polymer of sugar molecules. John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 16 June 2026 And lastly, abyssine (according to the brand) is a polymer derived from deep-sea organisms that eliminates and protects from pollution, environmental stressors, and general damage. Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 15 June 2026 What is in tandem here is the exuberantly generative possibility of life itself (SCOBY, water) alongside the very synthetic polymers that are literally wrecking life on an individual and systemic level. Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026 Often treated as little more than industrial waste, lignin is the natural polymer that gives plants their strength and rigidity. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for polymer

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of polymer was in 1866

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Polymer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymer. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

polymer

noun
poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər How to pronounce polymer (audio)
: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds that is formed by combination of smaller molecules and consists basically of repeating structural units
polymeric adjective

Medical Definition

polymer

noun
poly·​mer ˈpäl-ə-mər How to pronounce polymer (audio)
: a chemical compound or mixture of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of repeating structural units

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