PLASTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does plastic mean? 

• PLASTIC (noun)
  The noun PLASTIC has 2 senses:

1. generic name for certain synthetic or semisynthetic materials that can be molded or extruded into objects or films or filaments or used for making e.g. coatings and adhesives

2. a card (usually plastic) that assures a seller that the person using it has a satisfactory credit rating and that the issuer will see to it that the seller receives payment for the merchandise delivered

  Familiarity information: PLASTIC used as a noun is rare.

• PLASTIC (adjective)
  The adjective PLASTIC has 3 senses:

1. capable of being molded or modeled (especially of earth or clay or other soft material)

2. capable of being influenced or formed

3. forming or capable of forming or molding or fashioning

  Familiarity information: PLASTIC used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PLASTIC (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Generic name for certain synthetic or semisynthetic materials that can be molded or extruded into objects or films or filaments or used for making e.g. coatings and adhesives

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("plastic" is a kind of...):

solid (matter that is solid at room temperature and pressure)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "plastic"):

vinyl (shiny and tough and flexible plastic; used especially for floor coverings)

silicone resin (a polymeric silicone compound)

polyvinyl-formaldehyde (a polymer of vinyl formaldehyde)

polypropene; polypropylene (a polymer of propylene used as a thermoplastic molding material)

polyester (a complex ester used for making fibers or resins or plastics or as a plasticizer)

phenolic plastic; phenolic urea (a plastic consisting of phenolic resins)

fluorocarbon plastic (a plastic made with fluorocarbon)

coumarone-indene resin; coumarone resin (a thermoplastic resin obtained by polymerization of indene and coumarone; used in coatings and paint and asphalt tile)

cellulosic (a plastic made from cellulose (or a derivative of cellulose))

amino plastic; amino resin; aminoplast (a plastic (synthetic resin) made from amino compounds; used as an adhesive and as a coating for paper and textiles)

resinoid (a plastic containing resins)

Vinylite (any of various vinyl resins)

polytetrafluoroethylene; Teflon (a material used to coat cooking utensils and in industrial applications where sticking is to be avoided)

Bakelite (a thermosetting plastic used as electric insulators and for making plastic ware and telephone receivers etc.)

thermosetting compositions; thermosetting resin (a material that hardens when heated and cannot be remolded)

thermoplastic; thermoplastic resin (a material that softens when heated and hardens again when cooled)

Mylar (a thin polyester film)

ABS; acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (any of a class of composite plastics used to make car bodies and cases for computers and other appliances)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A card (usually plastic) that assures a seller that the person using it has a satisfactory credit rating and that the issuer will see to it that the seller receives payment for the merchandise delivered

Classified under:

Nouns denoting possession and transfer of possession

Synonyms:

charge card; charge plate; credit card; plastic

Context example:

do you take plastic?

Hypernyms ("plastic" is a kind of...):

positive identification (evidence proving that you are who you say you are; evidence establishing that you are among the group of people already known to the system; recognition by the system leads to acceptance)

charge account credit; open-end credit; revolving credit (a consumer credit line that can be used up to a certain limit or paid down at any time)

Meronyms (parts of "plastic"):

magnetic stripe (a short strip of magnetic tape attached to a credit card or debit card; it contains data that will tell a reading device who you are and what your account number is, etc.)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "plastic"):

calling card; phone card (a card that is used instead of cash to make telephone calls)

cash card; cashcard (a credit card that entitles the holder to receive cash)

bank card (a credit card issued by a bank)

• PLASTIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Capable of being molded or modeled (especially of earth or clay or other soft material)

Synonyms:

fictile; moldable; plastic

Context example:

plastic substances such as wax or clay

Similar:

elastic (capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy)

Derivation:

plasticity (the property of being physically malleable; the property of something that can be worked or hammered or shaped without breaking)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Capable of being influenced or formed

Synonyms:

plastic; pliant

Context example:

a pliant nature

Similar:

impressible; impressionable; waxy (easily impressed or influenced)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Forming or capable of forming or molding or fashioning

Synonyms:

formative; plastic; shaping

Context example:

the plastic forces of nature

Similar:

constructive (constructing or tending to construct or improve or promote development)

 Context examples 

A procedure involving the insertion of a plastic tube into the stomach through the nose.

(Nasogastric Intubation, NCI Thesaurus)

In addition, parabens are used as components of some plastics as preservatives or antimicrobial agents.

(Babies in neonatal intensive care units are exposed to harmful chemical substances found in plastic, University of Granada)

A substance used to make plastics, rubber, and textiles.

(Acrylonitrile, NCI Dictionary)

Nothing seems safe from plastic contamination.

(Microplastics million times more abundant in the ocean than previously thought, National Science Foundation)

Heterogeneous materials comprised of nanoparticles and plastic resin to provide added strength and desirable thermal attributes.

(Nanocomposite, NCI Thesaurus)

Plastic and reconstructive surgery may help the person's appearance.

(Craniofacial Abnormalities, NIH)

Its derivatives are used as UV stabilizers in plastic and to manufacture antiseptics and antimicrobial agents.

(Benzotrichloride, NCI Thesaurus)

A plastic surgeon can help you decide.

(Breast Reconstruction, NIH: National Cancer Institute)

A substance added to plastics or other materials to make or keep them soft or pliable.

(Plasticizer, NCI Thesaurus)

A sheet of metal or wood or glass or plastic.

(Plate, NCI Thesaurus)