Definition

Noun 1. A transparent thermoplastic polymer: A synthetic, glass-like plastic material made from the polymerization of methyl methacrylate. It is characterized by its clarity, strength, and resistance to weathering. 2. A glass substitute: A common acrylic plastic used in place of glass where lightweight properties, shatter resistance, or easier shaping are required.

Usage Examples

• The museum's display cases are made from polymethyl methacrylate because it is clearer and safer than glass.
• Polymethyl methacrylate is often used for aircraft windows and skylights.
• The surgeon implanted an intraocular lens made of polymethyl methacrylate into the patient's eye.

Advanced Usage

• In medicine: Used in bone cement for orthopedic surgeries and in rigid intraocular lenses.
• In fabrication: Often referred to by its common brand names (e.g., Plexiglas, Acrylite, Perspex) in commercial and DIY contexts. For example: "We cut the sheet of Plexiglas (a polymethyl methacrylate) to size."

Variants and Related Words

• PMMA: The standard abbreviation for polymethyl methacrylate.
• Acrylic glass: A common generic term for solid, transparent PMMA.
• Acrylic: A broader term for materials derived from acrylic acid; in everyday language, it is often used synonymously with PMMA when referring to solid sheets.
• Methyl methacrylate (MMA): The liquid monomer used to manufacture PMMA.

Synonyms

• Acrylic glass
• Perspex (trademark)
• Plexiglas (trademark)

Notes on Meaning

This term specifically refers to the chemical polymer itself. In practical applications, it is almost always referred to by its abbreviation PMMA or by generic terms like acrylic sheet or brand names. The full chemical name is primarily used in scientific, industrial, or formal technical contexts.

Noun

1. a transparent plastic used as a substitute for glass