What does polythene mean?
Polythene is the chiefly British name for polyethylene, a versatile synthetic plastic made by joining many molecules of ethene into long chains. In its familiar thin-film form, it is lightweight, flexible, waterproof, and easy to shape, making it suitable for carrier bags, packaging, protective covers, and many household or industrial products. The material can also be moulded into bottles, containers, tubing, and other durable objects. British and Commonwealth speakers commonly use polythene in general speech, while American English normally uses polyethylene. The word is normally a mass noun: one speaks of a sheet or bag made from polythene rather than counting individual pieces as polythenes. Its importance lies in combining low cost and weight with resistance to moisture and considerable tensile strength, although some forms are difficult to recycle and can persist in the environment for a long time.
nounA tough, lightweight, flexible plastic material used for making film, bags, sheets, containers, and other products. It is chiefly known in British English by this name; the standard American term is polyethylene.
- The polymer polyethylene, especially in the form of thin sheets or film used for packaging and weatherproofing.
"Rainwater was collected in a large polythene container at the allotment."
"The parcel was wrapped in polythene to keep it dry."
"Clear polythene covers protected the seedlings during the cold night."
Countable uses are uncommon, although the plural polythenes is occasionally found for separately produced items or sheets.
"The greenhouse was covered with polythene during the winter."
Known in Britain as polythene and in America as polyethylene, this remarkably versatile plastic is the material behind everything from crisp packets to laboratory tubing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does polythene come from?
The word arose in British English in the 1930s as a shortened formation combining poly-, meaning “many,” with ethene, the systematic name for the alkene from which polyethylene is made. It developed alongside the established chemical term polyethylene and became the familiar public name for the material in Britain. The form polyethene reflects the same chemical naming pattern, while polyethylene and ethylene belong to the same modern chemical terminology.
How polythene is actually used
Usually treated as a mass noun rather than a countable noun. It is commonly used attributively in British English, especially in words such as bag, sheet, film, and cover.
Easily confused with polythene
Polyethylene is the same polymer and is the usual term in American English, whereas polythene is chiefly used in British English.
Polyethene is a variant spelling of the chemical name for the same material, while polythene is the common British term.