- any one of various light thermoplastic materials made from ethylene with properties depending on the molecular weight of the polymer. The common forms are a waxy flexible plastic (low-density polythene) and a tougher rigid more crystalline form (high-density polythene). Polythene is used for packaging, moulded articles, pipes and tubing, insulation, textiles, and coatings on metalSystematic name: polyethene Also called: polyethylene
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
pol•y•thene
(pol′ə thēn′),USA pronunciation n. [Chem. Brit.]
- Chemistrypolyethylene.
- by shortening 1935–40
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
polythene /ˈpɒlɪˌθiːn/ n
pol•y•eth•yl•ene /ˌpɑliˈɛθəˌlin/USA pronunciation
n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Chemistrya plastic used chiefly for containers, electrical insulation, and packaging.
pol•y•eth•yl•ene
(pol′ē eth′ə lēn′),USA pronunciation n. [Chem.]
- Chemistrya plastic polymer of ethylene used chiefly for containers, electrical insulation, and packaging. Also called,[Brit.,] polythene.
- poly- + ethylene 1935–40
'polythene' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
bubble wrap
- clingfilm
- ethylene
- Gladwrap
- groundsheet
- poly
- poly bag
- polyethene
- polyethylene
- polytunnel