polyethylene glycol

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any of a series of polymers of ethylene glycol, having a molecular weight of from about 200 to 6000, obtained by condensation of ethylene glycol or of ethylene oxide and water, used as an emulsifying agent and lubricant in ointments, creams, etc.

polyethylene glycol

1. Any of a family of polymers that are either colorless liquids or waxy solids and are soluble in water. They are present in many organic solvents. Polyethylene glycols are used in detergents, cosmetics, and as emulsifiers and plasticizers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyethylene glycol¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

It is the polymer polyethylene glycol 3350, or PEG 3350 for short.

From Scientific American

Bilix’s co-founder, chemist Sangyong Jon of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and colleagues overcame these problems by affixing the water-soluble molecule polyethylene glycol to one end of bilirubin.

From Science Magazine

Workers sprayed the ship with water, then applied the preserving agent polyethylene glycol over the course of 17 years and let it dry for another nine years.

From New York Times

A: Your laxative contains polyethylene glycol 3350, a compound which pulls fluid into the digestive tract to make stool softer and easier to pass.

From Seattle Times

Other firms, including BioNTech and Arcturus Therapeutics, have begun to explore ways to eliminate polyethylene glycol, a compound that helps stabilize LNPs but has also been linked to some types of bad vaccine reactions.

From Science Magazine