Standard Lemma guide

biopolymer

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

Any macromolecule of a living organism that is formed from the polymerization of smaller entities; a polymer that occurs in a living organism or results from life.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: biochemistry, biology, chemistry, microbiology, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

Examples

  • There are three main classes of biopolymers: polynucleotides (such as RNA and DNA), polypeptides (such as collagen and actin), and polysaccharides (such as cellulose and starch).

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: polymer, biomolecule, macromolecule, molecule, compound

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gweyh3-der. Ancient Greek βῐ́ος (bĭ́os) Ancient Greek βῐο- (bĭo-)der. English bio- Proto-Indo-European *pleh1- Proto-Indo-European *polh1ús Ancient Greek πολῠ́ς (polŭ́s)lbor. English poly- Proto-Indo-European *(s)mer-der. Proto-Hellenic *(h)méros Ancient Greek μέρος (méros)lbor. English -mer English polymer English biopolymer From bio- + polymer.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 生物聚合物 — polymer that occurs in a living organism
  • Finnish: biopolymeeri — polymer that occurs in a living organism
  • French: biopolymère — polymer that occurs in a living organism
  • Greek: βιοπολυμερές (viopolymerés) — polymer that occurs in a living organism
  • Polish: biopolimer — polymer that occurs in a living organism