1
: a plastic substance
specifically
: any of numerous organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight and that can be made into objects, films, or filaments
2
: credit cards used for payment
called also plastic money
1
: made or consisting of a plastic
2
: having a quality suggestive of mass-produced plastic goods
3
a
: capable of being molded or modeled
plastic clay
b
: capable of adapting to varying conditions : pliable
ecologically plastic animals
4
: capable of being deformed continuously and permanently in any direction without rupture
5
: relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting neural plasticity
6
: of, relating to, or involving plastic surgery
8
1
: developing : forming
thromboplastic
2
: of or relating to (something designated by a term ending in -plasm, -plast, -plasty, or -plasy)
homoplastic
neoplastic
Synonyms
Examples of plastic in a Sentence
Noun
The toy was made of plastic.
a company that manufactures plastics
She used plastic to pay for her new computer.
Adjective
Silly Putty is famous for being very plastic.
there's usually a plastic cordiality at these corporate events
Recent Examples on the Web
Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
In response, proponents of the Bozeman plastics and styrofoam ban contend that such concerns could be addressed by municipal regulators tasked with implementing the law.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Refrigerate dry and unwashed in crisper drawer in a plastic bag up to 3 weeks.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for plastic 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The tent measures 13-by-13 feet at its footprint and 9 feet, 7 inches at its ridge pole, but weighs just 37.5 pounds (without the stove), and packs into a 13-gallon plastic tote.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
In response, proponents of the Bozeman plastics and styrofoam ban contend that such concerns could be addressed by municipal regulators tasked with implementing the law.
—Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Adjective
In other words, the constant flow of electric current through the sockets may have enhanced the metal zinc's plastic behavior, therefore weakening its grip.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Refrigerate dry and unwashed in crisper drawer in a plastic bag up to 3 weeks.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for plastic
Dictionary Entries Near plastic
Cite this Entry
“Plastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plastic. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plastic
1 of 2 adjective
plas·tic
ˈplas-tik 
1
: capable of being molded or modeled
plastic clay
2
: marked by or using modeling
sculpture is a plastic art
3
: made or consisting of a plastic
plastic dishes
plastically
adverb
-ti-k(ə-)lē
plastic
2 of 2 noun
: a plastic substance
especially
: any of numerous synthetic or processed materials that can be formed into objects, films, or fibers
Medical Definition
plastic
1 of 2 adjective
plas·tic
ˈplas-tik
1
: made or consisting of a plastic
2
: capable of being deformed continuously and permanently in any direction without breaking or tearing
3
a
: capable of growth, repair, or differentiation
a plastic tissue
b
: relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting neural plasticity
4
: of, relating to, or involving plastic surgery
plastic repair
plastic
2 of 2 noun1
: a plastic substance
specifically
: any of numerous organic synthetic or processed materials that are mostly thermoplastic or thermosetting polymers of high molecular weight and that can be made into objects, films, or filaments
2
: an object made of plastic
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