PVA

abbreviation or noun

ˌpē-ˌvē-ˈā How to pronounce PVA (audio)
1
: polyvinyl acetate
2
: polyvinyl alcohol

Examples of PVA in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Still, Tide Evo does use polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) plastics to help the fibrous structure hold together. — Boone Ashworth, Wired News, 24 Feb. 2026 Although the synthetic substance is not fully biodegradable and doesn't simply disappear in its entirety, a large percentage of the PVA makeup is biodegradable. — Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Nov. 2025 Powder detergents may increase friction during washing, while many pods and detergent sheets contain polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a dissolvable plastic that may not fully break down in wastewater systems. — Ryan Brennan may 11, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2026 However, that doesn’t mean the PVA has disappeared, says Sherri Mason, a chemist and plastics pollution researcher at Gannon University. — Matt Fuchs, Time, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for PVA

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of PVA was in 1941

Browse Nearby Words

PV
PVA
P value
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“PVA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/PVA. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on PVA

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about PVA

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