plastic

1 of 3

noun

plas·​tic ˈpla-stik How to pronounce plastic (audio)
1
: a plastic substance
specifically : any of numerous organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight and that can be made into objects, films, or filaments
2
: credit cards used for payment

called also plastic money

plasticky adjective

plastic

2 of 3

adjective

1
: made or consisting of a plastic
2
: having a quality suggestive of mass-produced plastic goods
especially : artificial sense 3
plastic smiles
3
a
: capable of being molded or modeled
plastic clay
b
: capable of adapting to varying conditions : pliable
ecologically plastic animals
4
: capable of being deformed continuously and permanently in any direction without rupture
5
: relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting neural plasticity
6
: of, relating to, or involving plastic surgery
7
: formative, creative
plastic forces in nature
8

-plastic

3 of 3

adjective combining form

1
: developing : forming
thromboplastic
2
: of or relating to (something designated by a term ending in -plasm, -plast, -plasty, or -plasy)
homoplastic
neoplastic
Choose the Right Synonym for plastic

plastic, pliable, pliant, ductile, malleable, adaptable mean susceptible of being modified in form or nature.

plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

pliable rubber tubing

pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

ductile metals such as copper

malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

the malleable properties of gold

adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

computer hardware that is adaptable

Examples of plastic in a Sentence

Noun The toy was made of plastic. a company that manufactures plastics She used plastic to pay for her new computer. Adjective Silly Putty is famous for being very plastic. there's usually a plastic cordiality at these corporate events
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The yellow lids keep the recycling dry and prevent paper, aluminum and plastic from flying around and littering the streets and sidewalks. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 When they’re not being played with, the blocks stack nicely into a little plastic carrying case for storage. Julie Evans, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024 Products that work on wood or composites of wood and plastic may damage decking made or capped with PVC plastic. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 Look for durable materials Most travel bidets are made of plastic, but some use sturdier silicone. Joel Balsam, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024 The latest recall comes less than a month after Trader Joe’s recalled its Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings for possibly containing plastic. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2024 The table’s surface is made from plastic with a textured wood grain top, easily capable of fitting a large meal for six. Monica Bell, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 Material: Containers can be made of plastic, ceramic, terracotta or fabric, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024 Related article Toxic plastic chemicals number in the thousands, most are unregulated, report finds For 2024, EWG researchers examined testing data on 47,510 samples of 46 nonorganic fruits and vegetables, with the majority of testing from the USDA. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Some have fashioned makeshift shields from plastic lunch trays. David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2024 That will end the current system of limiting residents to leaving two plastic bags at the curb — no more than 40 pounds each — for workers to heave into the back of trucks. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 The final scene of the hour is one of Bones' best: Booth comforted Brennan with a tiny plastic pig. Kelly Connolly, EW.com, 21 Mar. 2024 The company grinds the plastic film into pellets, then mixes it with sawdust to create composite boards. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Despite these initiatives, Coca-Cola was named as the world’s top plastic polluter for the sixth-consecutive year in 2023 by the environmental organization Break Free from Plastic. Jordan Valinsky, CNN, 19 Mar. 2024 Safe for children ages 3 and up, these plastic eggs are filled with colorful slime that kids can enjoy alone or with friends and siblings. Maya Polton, Parents, 18 Mar. 2024 Download their mobile app and collect valuable information for rivers and streams near you, including water levels, streamflow quantities, soil moisture, and plastic pollution for a global database. Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024 Kohl rushed to his patrol car, grabbed a medical kit and put on plastic gloves. USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plastic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin plasticus of molding, from Greek plastikos, from plassein to mold, form

Adjective combining form

Greek -plastikos, from plassein

First Known Use

Noun

1803, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 7

Time Traveler
The first known use of plastic was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near plastic

Cite this Entry

“Plastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plastic. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

plastic

1 of 2 adjective
plas·​tic ˈplas-tik How to pronounce plastic (audio)
1
: capable of being molded or modeled
plastic clay
2
: marked by or using modeling
sculpture is a plastic art
3
: made or consisting of a plastic
plastic dishes
plastically
-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb

plastic

2 of 2 noun
: a plastic substance
especially : any of numerous synthetic or processed materials that can be formed into objects, films, or fibers

Medical Definition

plastic

1 of 2 adjective
plas·​tic ˈplas-tik How to pronounce plastic (audio)
1
: made or consisting of a plastic
2
: capable of being deformed continuously and permanently in any direction without breaking or tearing
3
a
: capable of growth, repair, or differentiation
a plastic tissue
b
: relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting neural plasticity
4
: of, relating to, or involving plastic surgery
plastic repair

plastic

2 of 2 noun
1
: a plastic substance
specifically : any of numerous organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight and that can be made into objects, films, or filaments
2
: an object made of plastic

More from Merriam-Webster on plastic

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