thermoplastic

[ thur-muh-plas-tik ]
/ ˌθɜr məˈplæs tɪk /

adjective

soft and pliable when heated, as some plastics, without any change of the inherent properties.

noun

a plastic of this type.

Origin of thermoplastic

First recorded in 1880–85; thermo- + plastic

OTHER WORDS FROM thermoplastic

ther·mo·plas·tic·i·ty [thur-moh-pla-stis-i-tee] /ˌθɜr moʊ plæˈstɪs ɪ ti/, noun non·ther·mo·plas·tic, adjective, noun

Words nearby thermoplastic

thermophore, thermophosphorescence, thermophylic, thermopile, thermoplacentography, thermoplastic, thermoplegia, thermopylae, thermoreceptor, thermoregulate, thermoregulation

British Dictionary definitions for thermoplastic

thermoplastic
/ (ˌθɜːməʊˈplæstɪk) /

adjective

(of a material, esp a synthetic plastic or resin) becoming soft when heated and rehardening on cooling without appreciable change of properties Compare thermosetting

noun

a synthetic plastic or resin, such as polystyrene, with these properties

Derived forms of thermoplastic

thermoplasticity (ˌθɜːməʊplæˈstɪsɪtɪ), noun

Scientific definitions for thermoplastic

thermoplastic
[ thûr′mə-plăs′tĭk ]

Of or relating to a compound that can be repeatedly made soft and hard through heating and cooling. Polyethylene and polystyrene are thermoplastic resins. Compare thermosetting.