polystyrene
noun
poly·sty·rene
ˌpä-lē-ˈstī-ˌrēn 
: a polymer of styrene
especially
: a rigid transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and electrical insulating properties and is used especially in molded products, foams, and sheet materials
Examples of polystyrene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nearly all national and regional restaurant chains long ago stopped using polystyrene in response to lobbying from environmental groups and backlash from customers concerned that foam isn’t biodegradable.
—
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
Solo cups and other plastic dishware are also often contaminated, and they're made from a type of plastic, polystyrene, that is more difficult and expensive to recycle than other, more durable types of plastic ― such as those used in soda and laundry detergent bottles, Stevens said.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2024
But there’re so many other fillers beside polystyrene, right?
—Evan Moffitt, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
The head was made of black polystyrene, the wing folds were made of black elastic stocking, and the whole contraption was covered in felt.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024
The rest of the castle was crafted from polystyrene, which was covered in white fondant icing adorned with gold foliage.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024
At the time of publication, the study’s algorithm was able to identify seven types of plastics: polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024
Produced by Nissin Foods USA, Cup Noodles has always been sold in polystyrene cups with strict instructions to boil water then add to the noodles.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2023
Other plastics confirmed in the water in microscopic quantities include polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and polymethyl methacrylate, also known as plexiglass.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2024
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024
Solo cups and other plastic dishware are also often contaminated, and they're made from a type of plastic, polystyrene, that is more difficult and expensive to recycle than other, more durable types of plastic ― such as those used in soda and laundry detergent bottles, Stevens said.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2024
But there’re so many other fillers beside polystyrene, right?
—Evan Moffitt, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024
The head was made of black polystyrene, the wing folds were made of black elastic stocking, and the whole contraption was covered in felt.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2024
The rest of the castle was crafted from polystyrene, which was covered in white fondant icing adorned with gold foliage.
—Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024
At the time of publication, the study’s algorithm was able to identify seven types of plastics: polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024
Produced by Nissin Foods USA, Cup Noodles has always been sold in polystyrene cups with strict instructions to boil water then add to the noodles.
—Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2023
Other plastics confirmed in the water in microscopic quantities include polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride and polymethyl methacrylate, also known as plexiglass.
—Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'polystyrene.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1927, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near polystyrene
Cite this Entry
“Polystyrene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polystyrene. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
polystyrene
noun
poly·sty·rene
ˌpäl-i-ˈstī(ə)r-ˌēn
: a stiff transparent plastic used chiefly in molded products, foams, and sheet materials
Medical Definition
polystyrene
noun
poly·sty·rene
ˌpäl-i-ˈstī(ə)r-ˌēn
: a polymer of styrene
especially
: a rigid transparent thermoplastic that has good physical and electrical insulating properties and is used especially in molded products, foams, and sheet materials
More from Merriam-Webster on polystyrene
Nglish: Translation of polystyrene for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polystyrene
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