microplastic
noun
mi·cro·plas·tic
ˌmī-krō-ˈpla-stik 
plural microplastics
1
: a very small piece of plastic especially when occurring as an environmental pollutant
—usually used in plural
… the microplastics that have made their way into the food chain and even the air we breathe.—
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times… the Mariana Trench contains the highest levels of microplastics (most likely from clothing, bottles, packaging and fishing gear) yet found in the open ocean, offering irrefutable proof that plastics have penetrated even the most remote places on the planet.—Rina Li
Rina Li
specifically
: a piece of plastic that is five millimeters or smaller in size
Indeed, a handful of sand or cup of seawater from nearly anywhere in the world will probably be peppered with microplastics—pieces that are tinier than a small pea and often invisible. —Jennifer Ackerman
Jennifer Ackerman 2
: material consisting of microplastics
Most of that microplastic is coming not from broken down plastic soda bottles or shopping bags but textiles and clothing made of synthetic materials like polyester.—Dharna Noor
compare nanoplastic
Dharna Noor
microplastic
adjective
microplastic pollution
microplastic debris
Examples of microplastic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Research has linked these microplastics to health issues such as diabetes, heart disease and low male fertility.
—Alexander Kaplitz, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
Previous research suggests microplastics in the soil can be taken up by plants and obstruct their absorption channels for nutrients and water, according to the Guardian.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
Consider a good water filter to remove microplastics from tap water.
—Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Beyond this study, previous research has found miniscule plastic particles in every single type of human tissue tested, with other papers linking these microplastics to everything from brain inflammation to low male fertility.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for microplastic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Alexander Kaplitz, The Conversation, 18 Mar. 2025
Previous research suggests microplastics in the soil can be taken up by plants and obstruct their absorption channels for nutrients and water, according to the Guardian.
—Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025
Consider a good water filter to remove microplastics from tap water.
—Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
Beyond this study, previous research has found miniscule plastic particles in every single type of human tissue tested, with other papers linking these microplastics to everything from brain inflammation to low male fertility.
—Michael Franco, New Atlas, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for microplastic
Cite this Entry
“Microplastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microplastic. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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