nylon

[ nahy-lon ]

noun

1. any of a class of thermoplastic polyamides capable of extrusion when molten into fibers, sheets, etc., of extreme toughness, strength, and elasticity, synthesized by the interaction of a dicarboxylic acid with a diamine: used especially for yarn, fabrics, and bristles, as for brushes.
2. nylons, stockings made of nylon, especially sheer, full-length ones for women.

NYLON

¹

/ ˈnaɪlɒn /

noun

1. informal.
   a high-earning business executive who enjoys a transatlantic lifestyle, living part of the year in New York City and part in London

nylon

²

/ ˈnaɪlɒn /

noun

1. a class of synthetic polyamide materials made by copolymerizing dicarboxylic acids with diamines. They can be moulded into a variety of articles, such as combs and machine parts. Nylon monofilaments are used for bristles, etc, and nylon fibres can be spun into yarn
2. 1. yarn or cloth made of nylon, used for clothing, stockings, etc
   2. ( as modifier ) See also nylons

      a nylon dress

nylon

/ nī′lŏn′ /

1. Any of various materials made of synthetic polyamides (a type of nitrogen-containing polymer). Nylon is very strong and elastic, and can be formed into fibers, sheets, or bristles. It is used to make fabrics, plastics, and molded products.

Other Words From

• half-nylon adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nylon¹

1938; coined as a generic by the du Pont Chemical Co. as distinct from known words and having no prior meaning or use, but with the suffix -on suggesting other textile fibers such as rayon

Word History and Origins

Origin of nylon¹

C20: from N ( ew ) Y ( ork ) + Lon ( don )

Origin of nylon²

C20: originally a trademark

Example Sentences

Alyson Zetta Williams is an L.A.-based writer whose work has appeared in i-D, NYLON, Rookie Mag and more.

From Los Angeles Times

She strains it through the mesh lining of a bolsa de mercado, a Mexican grocery bag woven together by strong nylon fibers, while explaining how she was taught to make it by her mother, who was taught to make it by her grandmother.

From Salon

“Tinned fish is the ultimate hot girl food,” Goldfarb told Nylon in a 2021 interview.

From Salon

Covering him is like covering the Victoria’s Secret fashion show: It’s supposed to be hot and sexy and fun and irresistible, but it turns out to be just a bunch of pneumatic posing – all feathers and sequins and nylon and cheap lace from China, as sexless as one of Trump’s silent wives.

From Salon

A colleague beside him carried a yellow nylon bag, a quarter-full of scorched pieces of flesh.

From Los Angeles Times