Polymer Meaning
/ˈpɒl.ɪ.mə/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA long or larger molecule consisting of a chain or network of many repeating units, formed by chemically bonding together many identical or similar small molecules called monomers. A polymer is formed by polymerization, the joining of many monomer molecules.
nounA material consisting of such polymer molecules.
Sentence Examples
Every protein is a polymer composed of units called amino acids.
The elasticity of this polymer isn't the best suited to our ends.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Plastic is a synthetic ____ formed by repeating small molecular units.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist developed a new ____ that was both biodegradable and stronger than conventional plastics.
Word Origin & History
From poly- + -mer, from Ancient Greek πολύς (polús, “many”) + μέρος (méros, “part”). Coined by Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1833, though his definition was quite different from the modern one.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The water absorbency of the anionically starch-grafted AA/AM absorbent is markedly affected by the pH of the buffer solution at different ionic strengths. The charge of the ionic monomer affects the pH sensitivity of the superabsorbent polymers. An acidic superabsorbent normally ionizes at high pH but unionizes at low pH."
— 2000 October 1, Suda Kiatkamjornwong, Wararuk Chomsaksakul, Manit Sonsuk, “Radiation modification of water absorption of cassava starch by acrylic acid/acrylamide”, in Radiation Physics and Chemistry, volume 59, number 4, →DOI, page 423:
"Similar studies of rats have employed four different intracranial resorbable, slow sustained release systems—surgical foam, a thermal gel depot, a microcapsule or biodegradable polymer beads."
— 2013 May-June, Charles T. Ambrose, “Alzheimer’s Disease”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, page 200:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Plastic is a synthetic ____ formed by repeating small molecular units.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The scientist developed a new ____ that was both biodegradable and stronger than conventional plastics.