a univalent chemical radical derived from ethylene
"The organic chemist synthesized the new polymer by attaching a vinyl group to the benzene ring."
shiny and tough and flexible plastic; used especially for floor coverings
"After years of heavy foot traffic, the new vinyl flooring in the hallway still looks brand new thanks to its durable, water-resistant surface."
The univalent radical CH₂=CH−, derived from ethylene.
"The chemist explained that attaching a vinyl group to the polymer chain would significantly alter its reactivity."
In plain English: Vinyl is a type of plastic material often used to make records and flooring.
"He carefully cleaned his favorite vinyl record before playing it on the turntable."
Containing the vinyl radical.
"The polymer chemist analyzed the molecular structure to confirm it contained the vinyl radical before proceeding with synthesis."
In plain English: Vinyl describes something made from a specific type of plastic that was once commonly used for records and other products.
"The record player came with a vinyl cover to protect the disc from dust and scratches."
Usage: Use this adjective to describe materials or compounds that contain the specific chemical structure known as the vinyl group, such as in vinyl chloride. It is distinct from the common noun referring to plastic records or synthetic leather made of polyvinyl chloride.
The word vinyl comes from the Latin vīnum, meaning "wine," because early chemists discovered that ethyl alcohol, which is found in wine, contains this chemical group. It was named after wine to reflect its presence in ethanol rather than having any connection to grape products themselves.