A polymer is a chemical compound with large molecules made of many smaller molecules of the same kind. Some polymers exist naturally and others are produced in laboratories and factories.
polymer in British English
(ˈpɒlɪmə) or polymeride (pəˈlɪməˌraɪd)
noun
a naturally occurring or synthetic compound, such as starch or Perspex, that has large molecules made up of many relatively simple repeated units
Compare copolymer, oligomer
Derived forms
polymerism (pəˈlɪməˌrɪzəm, ˈpɒlɪmə-)
noun
polymer in American English
(ˈpɑləmər)
noun
a naturally occurring or synthetic substance consisting of giant molecules formed from polymerization
Word origin
Ger < Gr polymerēs, of many parts: see poly- & -merous
polymer in Chemical Engineering
(pɒləmər)
Word forms: (regular plural) polymers
noun
(Chemical Engineering: General)
A polymer is a type of organic solid which has a very large molecular structure.
Bridging is a process in which the long molecular structure of a polymer causes floc to bridge together.
The major structural feature of polymers is the presence of a large number of monomeric units which are combined several times.
A polymer is a type of organic solid which has a very large molecular structure.
polymerization
polymer in Mechanical Engineering
(pɒlɪmər)
Word forms: (regular plural) polymers
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Materials)
A polymer is a type of organic solid (= a solid that is a compound of carbon or hydrogen) that has a very large molecular structure.
A polymer is a substance composed of long chains of simpler units called monomers.
The major structural feature of polymers is the presence of a large number of monomeric units which are repeated many times.
A polymer is a type of organic solid that has a very large molecular structure.
polymer matrix composite
Examples of 'polymer' in a sentence
polymer
Seventy percent polymer, takes fifteen rounds with one up the pipe.
Mark Burnell CHAMELEON (2002)
The liquid was supposed to break up polymer chains, causing the seals to disintegrate.