depolymerize

verb

de·​po·​ly·​mer·​ize (ˌ)dē-pə-ˈli-mə-ˌrīz How to pronounce depolymerize (audio) -ˈpä-lə-mə- How to pronounce depolymerize (audio)
depolymerized; depolymerizing; depolymerizes

transitive verb

: to decompose (macromolecules) into simpler compounds (such as monomers)

intransitive verb

: to undergo decomposition into simpler compounds
depolymerization
ˌdē-pə-ˌli-mə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce depolymerize (audio)
(ˌ)dē-ˌpä-lə-mə-rə-
noun

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of depolymerize was circa 1909

Dictionary Entries Near depolymerize

depollute

depolymerize

depone

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Depolymerize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depolymerize. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

depolymerize

verb
de·​po·​ly·​mer·​ize
variants or British depolymerise
(ˈ)dē-pə-ˈlim-ə-ˌrīz How to pronounce depolymerize (audio) -ˈpäl-ə-mə- How to pronounce depolymerize (audio)
depolymerized or British depolymerised; depolymerizing or British depolymerising

transitive verb

: to decompose (macromolecules) into relatively simple compounds (as monomers)
depolymerized nucleic acids

intransitive verb

: to undergo decomposition into simpler compounds
depolymerization noun
or British depolymerisation
ˌdē-pə-ˌlim-ə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce depolymerize (audio) (ˌ)dē-ˌpäl-ə-mə-rə- How to pronounce depolymerize (audio)
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Giving Thanks Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...