1
a
: one that rubs
b
: an instrument or object (such as a rubber eraser) used in rubbing, polishing, scraping, or cleaning
c
: something that prevents rubbing or chafing
2
[from its use in erasers]
a
: an elastic substance that is obtained by coagulating the milky juice of any of various tropical plants (as of the genera Hevea and Ficus), is essentially a polymer of isoprene, and is prepared as sheets and then dried
called also caoutchouc, india rubber
b
: any of various synthetic rubberlike substances
c
: natural or synthetic rubber modified by chemical treatment to increase its useful properties (such as toughness and resistance to wear) and used especially in tires, electrical insulation, and waterproof materials
3
: something made of or resembling rubber: such as
a
: a rubber overshoe
b(1)
: a rubber tire
(2)
: the set of tires on a vehicle
c
: a rectangular slab of white rubber in the middle of a baseball infield on which a pitcher stands while pitching
d
rubber
adjective
1
: a contest consisting of an odd number of games won by the side that takes a majority (such as two out of three)
2
: an odd game played to determine the winner of a tie
Examples of rubber in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
The soft rubber organizing slats hold snowboards, alpine skis, Nordic skis, or any combination of snow gear, making this contraption a great alternative to leaning gear against the car’s paint or laying it on a rocky, grimy parking lot surface.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 13 Jan. 2025
The rubber hits the road this week with all of these hearings on the Cabinet.
—CBS News, 12 Jan. 2025
The lightweight, full-traction rubber sole reflects Diemme’s expertise in outfitting outdoorspeople in South Tyrol, but the rest of the minimalist boot skews more Wooster Street.
—airmail.news, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rubber 
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Noun
Remove anything from the area under your sink, put on a pair of rubber gloves and place something under the drain to catch anything that might spill out.
—Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025
The soft rubber organizing slats hold snowboards, alpine skis, Nordic skis, or any combination of snow gear, making this contraption a great alternative to leaning gear against the car’s paint or laying it on a rocky, grimy parking lot surface.
—Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 13 Jan. 2025
The rubber hits the road this week with all of these hearings on the Cabinet.
—CBS News, 12 Jan. 2025
The lightweight, full-traction rubber sole reflects Diemme’s expertise in outfitting outdoorspeople in South Tyrol, but the rest of the minimalist boot skews more Wooster Street.
—airmail.news, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for rubber
Dictionary Entries Near rubber
Cite this Entry
“Rubber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubber. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rubber
1 of 2 noun
rub·ber
ˈrəb-ər 
1
: something used in rubbing, polishing, scraping, or cleaning
2
a
: an elastic substance obtained from the milky juice of various tropical plants
b
: any of various synthetic substances like rubber
3
: something made of or resembling rubber: as
a
: a rubber overshoe
b
: a rectangular slab of white rubber in the middle of a baseball infield on which a pitcher stands while pitching
4
: condom
rubberlike
adjective
-ˌlīk
rubbery
adjective
ˈrəb-(ə-)rē
rubber
2 of 2 noun1
: a contest that consists of an odd number of games (as card games) and is won by the side that takes a majority (as two out of three)
2
: an extra game played to decide the winner of a tie
Medical Definition
rubber
noun
rub·ber
ˈrəb-ər
1
: an elastic substance that is obtained by coagulating the milky juice of any of various tropical plants (as of the genera Hevea and Ficus), is essentially a polymer of isoprene, and is prepared as sheets and then dried
called also caoutchouc, india rubber
2
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