plural latices
ˈlā-tə-ˌsēz 
ˈla-
or latexes
ˈla-
or latexes
1
: a milky usually white fluid that is produced by cells of various seed plants (as of the milkweed, spurge, and poppy families) and is the source of rubber, gutta-percha, chicle, and balata
2
: a water emulsion of a synthetic rubber or plastic obtained by polymerization and used especially in coatings (such as paint) and adhesives
Examples of latex in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Her special liquid latex recipe (which is a business secret) can also be used to build bags without the need for sewing.
—
Leah Dolan, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025
Still, it is known that people who have asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, hives, or a latex allergy may be more likely to have food allergies.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025
The men arrived at the couple’s apartment building wearing dark clothes, masks and latex gloves — and brought guns and zip ties, according to prosecutors.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, days before, for her 55th birthday on Thursday, Dec. 19, Sánchez wore a latex little black dress.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for latex 
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.
Leah Dolan, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025
Still, it is known that people who have asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, hives, or a latex allergy may be more likely to have food allergies.
—Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025
The men arrived at the couple’s apartment building wearing dark clothes, masks and latex gloves — and brought guns and zip ties, according to prosecutors.
—Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 27 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, days before, for her 55th birthday on Thursday, Dec. 19, Sánchez wore a latex little black dress.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for latex
Dictionary Entries Near latex
Cite this Entry
“Latex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latex. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
latex
noun
la·tex
ˈlā-ˌteks
plural latices
ˈlāt-ə-ˌsēz
ˈlat-
or latexes
1
: a milky juice produced by the cells of various plants (as milkweeds, poppies, and the rubber tree)
2
: a mixture of water and fine particles of rubber or plastic used especially in paints and adhesives
Medical Definition
latex
noun
la·tex
ˈlā-ˌteks
plural latices
ˈlāt-ə-ˌsēz
ˈlat-
or latexes
ˈlat-
or latexes
: a milky usually white fluid that is usually made up of various gum resins, fats, or waxes and often a complex mixture of other substances frequently including poisonous compounds, is produced by cells of various seed plants (as of the milkweed, spurge, and poppy families), and is the source of rubber, gutta-percha, chicle, and balata
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share