Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1900-2000
Origin: poly- + styrene type of chemical compound (19-21 centuries) (from Latin styrax type of plant)

polystyrene

 noun
     
Related topics: Plastics
pol‧y‧sty‧rene [uncountable]
British EnglishHCP a soft light plastic material that prevents heat or cold from passing through it, used especially for making containers [= Styrofoam]
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary