What does polyester mean?
Polyester is a family of synthetic polymers widely used to make fibres, fabrics, resins, and plastics. In clothing, the term often refers to a durable, quick-drying polyester fabric; in manufacturing, it can refer more broadly to polyester resin used in composites, coatings, and moulded products. The material became especially widespread in the second half of the twentieth century because it combined relatively low cost, strength, wrinkle resistance, and ease of care. Its properties can differ considerably according to how it is spun, woven, blended, or formulated, so the word does not identify a single fabric or product. Polyester is also the common name for polyethylene terephthalate, particularly in the context of plastic bottles and related packaging.
A synthetic polymer or material made from polyester compounds, especially a fibre or fabric used in textiles.
"The coat is made from polyester and dries quickly after rain."
The term is common both as a mass noun for the material and, in technical writing, as a plural noun referring to individual polyester compounds.
Made from, consisting of, or containing polyester.
"She bought a polyester blouse for work."
Often used attributively before materials or products, such as “polyester fabric,” “polyester resin,” and “polyester clothing.”
In ordinary use, polyester is usually an uncountable or mass noun. The plural is chiefly technical and may refer to distinct polyester compounds or materials.
"Different polyesters are used in the manufacture of bottles and textile fibres."
Polyester is the hidden workhorse of the modern wardrobe: it can be spun into fibre, woven into fabric, and moulded into bottles and resins.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does polyester come from?
The word was formed in the early twentieth century from the combining form “poly-,” meaning many, and “ester,” a chemical compound. The “poly-” element comes from Greek polys, “many,” while “ester” derives through French from the Latin word for the acid or salt associated with a particular family of organic compounds. The resulting term reflects the material’s chemical structure as a polymer containing ester groups. It belongs to a broader scientific vocabulary that includes polymer, polyamide, and polyethylene.
Related word forms
How polyester is actually used
As a general textile term, polyester is widely used in British and US English. It is usually treated as a mass noun, although the plural form “polyesters” is used in technical contexts to refer to individual polyester compounds or materials.
Easily confused with polyester
Polyester and polyethylene are both polymers, but polyester contains ester groups in its chemical structure, whereas polyethylene is made from ethylene units.
Polyamide includes materials such as nylon, while polyester is a distinct class of synthetic polymers made from ester-linked units.