plastics
|plas-tics|
/ˈplæstɪks/
(plastic)
moldable material
Etymology
'plastic' originates from French, specifically the word 'plastique', where 'plastique' came from Greek 'plastikos' (from 'plassein') meaning 'able to be shaped or molded'.
'plastic' changed from French 'plastique' (19th century usage) which in turn came from Greek 'plastikos' (from 'plassein' meaning 'to mold'); it entered modern English as 'plastic' in the 19th century and 'plastics' as a plural/collective term followed.
Initially it meant 'able to be shaped or molded'; over time the term came to be applied especially to synthetic materials that can be molded, and now commonly refers to those synthetic polymer materials ('plastics').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
types of synthetic polymer materials (collectively), especially materials that can be molded or shaped; used for manufacturing a wide range of goods.
Many consumer products are made from plastics.
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Noun 2
the plastics industry or plastic products as a sector (manufacture, trade, and products made of plastic).
The plastics sector has grown rapidly since the 1950s.
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Last updated: 2025/09/28 06:00