terephthalate

[ ter-ef-thal-eyt, -it, tuh-ref-thuh-leyt ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a salt or ester of terephthalic acid.

Word History and Origins

Origin of terephthalate¹

First recorded in 1865–70; terephthal(ic acid) + -ate ²

Example Sentences

To their surprise, most of the particles were not polyethylene terephthalate, or PET — the material most water bottles are made of.

From Salon

One common one was polyethylene terephthalate or PET.

From Science Daily

PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is a type of clear plastic that is commonly used for single-use water bottles.

From Los Angeles Times

Lego said it has “decided not to progress” with making its trademark colorful bricks from recycled plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate, known as PET, and after more than two years of testing “found the material didn’t reduce carbon emissions.”

From Seattle Times

The city was referring to a forthcoming Direct Pack facility for recycling plastic items called PET thermoforms — clamshells, berry containers, salad boxes, egg cartons, and similarly shaped containers made from polyethylene terephthalate, one of the seven main kinds of plastic.

From Salon