Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • A trademark for a light, resilient polystyrene plastic.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a light resilient foam of polystyrene

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word Styrofoam.

Examples

  • In this article and many others seen in both the popular and trade press, the use of the term Styrofoam is incorrect.

    McDonalds Sweet Tea Styrofoam Packaging 2008

  • In his email from July 12th, Captain Moore describes how what we know as Styrofoam breaks down faster in the ocean and tells us of yet another danger of the floating plastic trash and its potentially devastating impact on species diversity.

    Laurie David: Captain Moore on the Dangers of Styrofoam 2009

  • I have received wine shipments in Styrofoam and had to return the wine because the corks were leaking because of heat.

    Jason Haas can’t find lightweight bottles that don’t look cheap | Dr Vino's wine blog 2010

  • Styrofoam is popular with retailers and wineries shipping wine because it cradles and insulates the bottles.

    2010 February | Dr Vino's wine blog 2010

  • Styrofoam is popular with retailers and wineries shipping wine because it cradles and insulates the bottles.

    Astor Wines says no to Styro, yes to plastic sleeves | Dr Vino's wine blog 2010

  • It's true: You'll have a hard time finding a more eco-unfriendly product than the material most of us call Styrofoam.

    Slate Magazine Jacob Leibenluft 2011

  • You'll have a hard time finding a more eco-unfriendly product than the material most of us call Styrofoam … Still, it may not always be the right move to switch over to ceramic or stainless-steel mugs.

    Changing Way 2008

  • Watch Ke$ha get primal after the jump! the Ke$ha interview from last week where she talked about "Styrofoam" - her unreleased song where she bashes Britney Spears-is from this same

    Idolator Robbie Daw 2010

  • Plastics that are used in packaging fast foods, like expanded polystyrene, known for its Dow Chemical name Styrofoam, are made to be thrown away immediately after the food is consumed.

    Lisa Kaas Boyle: Plastic And The Great Recycling Swindle Lisa Kaas Boyle 2011

  • Plastics that are used in packaging fast foods, like expanded polystyrene, known for its Dow Chemical name Styrofoam, are made to be thrown away immediately after the food is consumed.

    Lisa Kaas Boyle: Plastic And The Great Recycling Swindle Lisa Kaas Boyle 2011

  • That’s because, when you’re using the vast majority of cups, plates, and other things you might think of as Styrofoam, what you’re actually using is something called expanded polystyrene, as opposed to real Styrofoam, which is extruded polystyrene.

    The Brief, Confusing History of Foam Packaging Ernie Smith 2017

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.