Origin: Greek prefix poly-
Polyester has 5 different meanings across 1 category:
any of numerous synthetic resins; they are light and strong and weather resistant
"The durable, lightweight polyester jacket resisted rain and wind perfectly during the hike."
a complex ester used for making fibers or resins or plastics or as a plasticizer
"The fabric is made from polyester, a complex ester used for creating durable synthetic fibers."
any of a large class of synthetic fabrics
"The blouse was made entirely of polyester, making it wrinkle-resistant and easy to care for."
Any polymer whose monomers are linked together by ester bonds
"Polyester is a versatile synthetic fabric created when monomer units connect via ester bonds to form long, durable chains."
In plain English: Polyester is a strong, synthetic fabric made from chemicals that is often used to make clothes and plastic bottles because it doesn't wrinkle easily.
"She bought a new pair of shorts made entirely of polyester because they are easy to wash and dry quickly."
Usage: Polyester is the common name for synthetic fabrics made from plastic fibers that resist wrinkling and shrinking. Use this term to describe clothing items like shirts or pants rather than referring to chemical compounds in a scientific context.
Of, or consisting of polyesters
"The new synthetic fabric used in athletic wear is entirely polyester and dries very quickly."
In plain English: Polyester is an adjective describing something made from strong synthetic fibers often used to make clothes that don't wrinkle easily.
"She wore a polyester suit to the interview that looked sharp but felt stiff against her skin."
The word polyester is a modern scientific term formed by combining the Greek prefix poly- (meaning many) with the chemical suffix -ester. It was coined to describe a specific class of polymers containing numerous ester groups in their repeating units, rather than referring to any fabric made from multiple esters.