syntactic foam

noun

: a plastic in which preformed cells (such as tiny hollow glass spheres) have been incorporated, which can withstand great pressures (as at ocean depths), and which floats

Word History

Etymology

syntactic from Greek syntaktikos putting together

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of syntactic foam was in 1955

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near syntactic foam

Cite this Entry

“Syntactic foam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syntactic%20foam. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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