high polymer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2technical, scientific, industrial
Quick answer
What does “high polymer” mean?
A polymer, especially a synthetic plastic like polyethylene or polystyrene, composed of molecules with a very high molecular weight.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A polymer, especially a synthetic plastic like polyethylene or polystyrene, composed of molecules with a very high molecular weight.
Any substance composed of very large, chain-like molecules formed from many smaller repeating units, typically exhibiting strong, durable, and often mouldable material properties.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling follows national norms (e.g., 'polymerisation' vs. 'polymerization' in related contexts).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare in general language but standard in materials science, chemistry, and engineering contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “high polymer” in a Sentence
[high polymer] of [material name][material name] is a high polymerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high polymer” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The high-polymer fraction was isolated for testing.
- They specialise in high-polymer composites.
American English
- The high-polymer component provides durability.
- This is a high-polymer application.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in manufacturing, R&D, and procurement contexts (e.g., 'We source high polymers for our injection moulding division.').
Academic
Core term in polymer science, materials engineering, and chemistry papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used; replaced by common terms like 'plastic' or 'resin'.
Technical
Precise term for materials like polyethylene, nylon, PVC, etc., when emphasizing molecular structure.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “high polymer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high polymer”
- Using 'high polymer' to mean 'high-quality polymer'.
- Pronouncing 'polymer' as /ˈpəʊlaɪmə/ instead of /ˈpɒlɪmə/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Plastic' is a common-word category often made from high polymers, but 'high polymer' is the precise scientific term for the long-chain molecular structure itself.
Yes. Natural rubber and cellulose are examples of naturally occurring high polymers.
No, it is a specialised term used almost exclusively in scientific, engineering, and industrial contexts.
A 'monomer' (the single repeating unit) or an 'oligomer' (a short-chain polymer with few repeating units).
A polymer, especially a synthetic plastic like polyethylene or polystyrene, composed of molecules with a very high molecular weight.
High polymer is usually technical, scientific, industrial in register.
High polymer: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈpɒlɪmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈpɑːlɪmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HIGH mountain chain = a HIGH POLYMER has very long molecular chains.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TRAIN: Many identical carriages (monomers) linked into a very long train (high polymer).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'high' refer to in 'high polymer'?