terephthalate

noun

tere·​phthal·​ate ˌter-ə(f)-ˈtha-ˌlāt How to pronounce terephthalate (audio)
: a salt or ester of terephthalic acid
especially : a dimethyl-ester that is a major starting material for polyester fibers and coatings

Examples of terephthalate 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.
The keycaps—made from polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)—are solid black with shine-through letters. — Aubrey Jowers, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026 The company specializes in making bottle capital from polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET. — Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 2 May 2026 Almost all the plastic was one type — polyethylene — with a notable absence of other common forms, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which makes up plastic water and soda bottles. — F.d. Flam, Twin Cities, 25 Dec. 2025 Bacterial factory The world produces roughly 50 million tonnes of polyethylene terephthalate plastic every year. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for terephthalate

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of terephthalate was in 1868

Rhymes for terephthalate

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Browse Nearby Words

Terentian
terephthalate
terephthalic acid
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Cite this Entry

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

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