copolymer

[ koh-pol-uh-mer ]

noun

1. a chemical compound of high molecular weight produced by polymerizing two or more different monomers together.

copolymer

/ kəʊˈpɒlɪmə /

noun

1. a chemical compound of high molecular weight formed by uniting the molecules of two or more different compounds (monomers) Compare polymer oligomer

copolymer

/ kō-pŏl′ə-mər /

1. A polymer of two or more different monomers. The synthetic rubber used to make tire treads and shoe soles, for example, is a copolymer made of the monomers butadiene and styrene.

Word History and Origins

Origin of copolymer¹

First recorded in 1935–40; co- + polymer

Example Sentences

Utilizing block copolymers, the research team has achieved the self-assembly of photonic crystal structures on a large scale, mimicking natural phenomena observed in butterfly wings and bird feathers.

From Science Daily

Because the copolymer has two units -- one that is electroactive and one which is the original thermo-responsive unit -- there are now two pathways available to control solvation.

From Science Daily

In both dispersions, the base polymer was a copolymer composed of the inexpensive, commercially available components styrene and butyl acrylate.

From Science Daily

Sequencing copolymers is so difficult in large part because of heterogeneity in synthetic polymers, Chen said.

From Science Daily

At launch, each motor had about 1.1 million pounds of polybutadiene acrylonitrile copolymer propellant, which has the consistency of a pencil eraser.

From Los Angeles Times