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

Rhymes for depolymerize

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Browse Nearby Words

depollute
depolymerize
depone
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Depolymerize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depolymerize. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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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)
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