What does plastics mean?
Plastics are synthetic materials composed of long chains of molecules called polymers. Their properties can be adjusted through the choice of polymer and additives, producing flexible films, rigid containers, electrical insulators, or highly durable engineering components. The term is usually plural and may refer either to the materials as a class or to objects made from them. In everyday environmental discussion, “plastics” commonly evokes disposable packaging, pollution, and recycling, although the material is also important in vehicles, medicine, construction, and electrical equipment. Although some plastics soften when heated and can be reshaped, others harden permanently during manufacture. The word is thus broader than the image of cheap disposable packaging: it denotes a major family of engineered materials whose usefulness comes from their combination of lightness, strength, corrosion resistance, and mouldability.
Any of a class of synthetic polymeric materials that can be moulded or shaped, especially when heated.
"The factory uses recycled plastics in the production of packaging."
Often used collectively as a mass noun, even though its form is plural.
Objects or products made from synthetic polymeric materials.
"The retailer has phased out several single-use plastics."
Common in general and environmental contexts; “plastic” is often preferred when a single object or the material itself is meant.
The plural form is the ordinary dictionary form of the headword and may also be used as a mass noun for polymeric materials generally.
"The report examines the environmental impact of marine plastics."
From the Greek word for “mouldable,” plastics gave humanity an exceptionally versatile material that can be shaped, coloured, and recycled.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of plastics
The word belongs to the English family formed from Latin plasticus, “mouldable” or “fit for moulding,” which was borrowed from Greek plastikos, from plassein, “to mould.” The adjective “plastic” was used in this sense before the mass noun “plastics” developed for polymeric materials in the early 20th century. Related English forms include “plastically” and “plasticity,” both preserving the sense of mouldability or the capacity to be shaped.
Related word forms
How plastics is actually used
“Plastics” is normally plural in form but may function as a mass noun when referring collectively to the material or the industry. In technical contexts, “plastics” often means mouldable polymeric materials, including thermosetting and thermoplastic substances.
Easily confused with plastics
“Plastic” can describe the material or an individual object, whereas “plastics” usually refers to the class of polymeric materials or to several such objects.
Plaster is a building material traditionally made from gypsum, while plastics are synthetic polymers used in many different forms.