Polymer
- Pronunciation
- /POL-ee-mer/
- Category
- Chemistry
- Singular
- Polymer
- Plural
- Polymers
Definition
A chemical compound consisting of a long chain of identical or similar units.
Etymology
From Greek 'poly-', meaning 'many', and 'meros', meaning 'part'.
Example
Examples of polymers include polyethylene, nylon, and DNA.
Related Terms
- Chain
- Macromolecule
Usage Notes
Used in a wide range of applications, including plastics, textiles, and biological processes.