caprolactam: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/TechnicalTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “caprolactam” mean?
An organic compound, a lactam derived from caproic acid, used primarily as a monomer in the production of nylon-6.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An organic compound, a lactam derived from caproic acid, used primarily as a monomer in the production of nylon-6.
A white, crystalline solid or flakes with a characteristic odor, essential in polymer chemistry for synthesizing polycaprolactam fibers and plastics.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage or spelling; identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Technical/industrial in both regions.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside specialized technical fields in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “caprolactam” in a Sentence
Nylon is manufactured from [caprolactam].The plant specializes in [caprolactam] synthesis.Polymerisation of [caprolactam] yields nylon-6.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “caprolactam” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The process involves caprolactamising the precursor compound.
American English
- The feedstock is caprolactamized to form the monomer.
adjective
British English
- The caprolactam feedstock was of high purity.
American English
- The caprolactam-based process is efficient.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in reports on petrochemical production and synthetic fibre market trends.
Academic
Used in chemistry and materials engineering research papers on polymer synthesis.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Central term in discussions of nylon-6 manufacturing, polymerisation processes, and industrial chemistry.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “caprolactam”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “caprolactam”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “caprolactam”
- Misspelling as 'caprolactan' or 'caprolactum'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a synthetic organic compound, industrially produced from petrochemicals like cyclohexanone.
It derives from 'caproic acid', a six-carbon fatty acid, indicating the six-carbon structure of the lactam ring.
In its pure form, it can be an irritant to skin and eyes and requires proper safety handling in industrial settings.
It is highly unlikely; you will only find it in specialised technical, industrial, or academic contexts.
An organic compound, a lactam derived from caproic acid, used primarily as a monomer in the production of nylon-6.
Caprolactam is usually technical/scientific in register.
Caprolactam: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkæprəʊˈlæktæm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkæproʊˈlæktæm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CAP ROLLed LACTAM into nylon thread.
Conceptual Metaphor
NONE: It is a technical term for a specific chemical.
Practice
Quiz
What is caprolactam primarily used to produce?