microplastic
noun
mi·cro·plas·tic
ˌmī-krō-ˈpla-stik 
plural microplastics
1
: a very small piece of plastic especially when occurring as an environmental pollutant
—usually used in plural
… the microplastics that have made their way into the food chain and even the air we breathe.—
Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times… the Mariana Trench contains the highest levels of microplastics (most likely from clothing, bottles, packaging and fishing gear) yet found in the open ocean, offering irrefutable proof that plastics have penetrated even the most remote places on the planet.—Rina Li
Rina Li
specifically
: a piece of plastic that is five millimeters or smaller in size
Indeed, a handful of sand or cup of seawater from nearly anywhere in the world will probably be peppered with microplastics—pieces that are tinier than a small pea and often invisible. —Jennifer Ackerman
Jennifer Ackerman 2
: material consisting of microplastics
Most of that microplastic is coming not from broken down plastic soda bottles or shopping bags but textiles and clothing made of synthetic materials like polyester.—Dharna Noor
compare nanoplastic
Dharna Noor
microplastic
adjective
microplastic pollution
microplastic debris
Examples of microplastic in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But microplastics aren’t DGCCRF’s only problem with Shein.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 9 July 2025
One study found the average liter of bottled water contains 240,000 microplastics.
—Rachel Bustamante, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2025
For this summer opt for natural fibers like linen, hemp, and organic cotton, which are more breathable and less taxing on the environment than synthetics like polyester which sheds microplastics when washed.
—Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
However, rather than calling for specific actions against these health threats, the report says more studies are needed, including from the National Institutes of Health, to fully understand the impacts of things like microplastics and pesticides.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for microplastic
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Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 9 July 2025
One study found the average liter of bottled water contains 240,000 microplastics.
—Rachel Bustamante, Baltimore Sun, 28 June 2025
For this summer opt for natural fibers like linen, hemp, and organic cotton, which are more breathable and less taxing on the environment than synthetics like polyester which sheds microplastics when washed.
—Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
However, rather than calling for specific actions against these health threats, the report says more studies are needed, including from the National Institutes of Health, to fully understand the impacts of things like microplastics and pesticides.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for microplastic
Cite this Entry
“Microplastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microplastic. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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