Definition

Noun: 1. A synthetic polymer: A lightweight, flexible, and durable thermoplastic material made by polymerizing ethylene. It is one of the most widely produced plastics in the world. 2. A material for packaging and insulation: This substance is commonly used to make items such as plastic bags, bottles, food containers, and insulating materials for wires and cables due to its moisture resistance and insulating properties.

Usage Examples

• General Use:
  • Most disposable shopping bags are made from polyethylene.
  • The cable's polyethylene coating protects it from water damage.
• In Industry/Manufacturing:
  • The company specializes in recycling post-consumer polyethylene.
  • This grade of polyethylene is ideal for blow-molding bottles.

Advanced Usage

• Chemical Terminology: In chemistry, "polyethylene" refers specifically to the polymer with the repeating unit (-CH₂-CH₂-)ₙ. It is often abbreviated as PE.
  • The chemical stability of polyethylene makes it resistant to many solvents.
• Technical Specifications: Often specified by its density, leading to common variants like HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) and LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene), which have different properties and applications.
  • Milk jugs are typically made from HDPE, while plastic wrap is often LDPE.

Variants and Related Words

• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET/PETE) (n): A different, related polymer commonly used for drink bottles and synthetic fibers.
• Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) (n): A polyether compound derived from ethylene oxide, used in medicine and industry.
• Polythene (n): A British English synonym for polyethylene.

Synonyms

• Polythene (n): (Chiefly British) A direct synonym.
• Polytheme (n): An alternate spelling, less common.
• PE (n): The standard chemical abbreviation.

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Polyethylene film: A thin sheet of polyethylene, often used for packaging.
  • The product is sealed inside a layer of polyethylene film.
• Polyethylene pipe: Tubing made from polyethylene, used for fluid and gas distribution.
  • The new water line uses corrosion-resistant polyethylene pipe.

Noun

1. a lightweight thermoplastic; used especially in packaging and insulation