melamine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “melamine” mean?
A hard, durable, synthetic resin made from melamine and formaldehyde, used in plastic tableware, laminates, and adhesives.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hard, durable, synthetic resin made from melamine and formaldehyde, used in plastic tableware, laminates, and adhesives.
In chemistry, the compound 2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine, a base chemical for producing thermosetting plastics; in common use, refers to items made from this resin or to the resin itself.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; the word is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both, but may carry negative connotations related to food safety scandals (e.g., 2008 Chinese milk scandal where melamine was added illegally).
Frequency
Similar frequency in specialist contexts (chemistry, manufacturing, interior design). Slightly more common in everyday UK English due to 'melamine' being a common term for laminate worktops.
Grammar
How to Use “melamine” in a Sentence
[melamine] + [noun] (e.g., melamine resin)[made of/from] + [melamine][melamine] + [is used for] + [gerund/noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “melamine” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No standard verb form.
American English
- No standard verb form.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form.
American English
- No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- The melamine finish is resistant to stains.
- We offer a range of melamine worktops.
American English
- The melamine coating provides a durable surface.
- She bought melamine cabinets for the laundry room.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In manufacturing and retail, e.g., 'We source melamine boards for flat-pack furniture.'
Academic
In chemistry and materials science, e.g., 'The polymerization of melamine with formaldehyde was studied.'
Everyday
Referring to household items, e.g., 'We use melamine plates for picnics.'
Technical
In construction and design, e.g., 'The worktop is a 18mm melamine-faced chipboard.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “melamine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “melamine”
- Misspelling as 'melamin', 'melamene', or 'melamime'.
- Using 'melamine' as a countable noun for a single item (e.g., 'a melamine' is incorrect; say 'a melamine plate').
- Confusing 'melamine' (the resin) with 'MDF' or 'plywood' (which can be coated with melamine).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Properly manufactured melamine resin tableware is generally considered safe for cold or warm food, but it is not microwave-safe as high heat can cause degradation and leaching of chemicals.
Melamine is a specific type of thermosetting plastic resin. Laminate is a broader category of layered materials; melamine is often used as the surface layer in high-pressure laminates (e.g., Formica).
Melamine was illegally added to milk and infant formula in China to falsely inflate protein readings, leading to kidney stones and fatalities, causing a major food safety scandal.
Melamine resin is a thermoset plastic, meaning it cannot be melted and remolded like thermoplastics. It is very difficult to recycle and is typically not accepted in standard curbside recycling programmes.
A hard, durable, synthetic resin made from melamine and formaldehyde, used in plastic tableware, laminates, and adhesives.
Melamine is usually technical/academic in register.
Melamine: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmel.ə.miːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmel.ə.miːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No established idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MEL-amine': Imagine a MELon sitting on an AMINE (a type of chemical compound) plate. The plate is hard and plastic—that's melamine!
Conceptual Metaphor
METAPHOR: DURABILITY IS HARDNESS (melamine as a symbol of hard, scratch-resistant surfaces). METONYMY: The material stands for mass-produced, affordable kitchenware.
Practice
Quiz
In which industry is melamine resin NOT commonly used?