a white, water-insoluble, thermoplastic resin, derived by the polymerization of vinyl chloride: used chiefly for thin coatings, insulation, and pipings.
Also called PVC.
Origin
1930-35
Examples from the web for polyvinyl chloride
The matter at hand was a proposal to ban the purchase of polyvinyl chloride products using city funds.
It plans to eliminate one more-polyvinyl chloride-from new computer models this year.
Recycling centers typically do not accept polyvinyl chloride for recycling.
Vinyl chloride monomer is the main raw material used in the production of polyvinyl chloride.
British Dictionary definitions for polyvinyl chloride
polyvinyl chloriden. Abbr. PVC A common thermoplastic vinyl that is used in a variety of manufactured products.
polyvinyl chloride in Science
polyvinyl chloride
(pŏl'ē-vī'nəl) A synthetic resin, composed of repeating units of vinyl chloride (C2H3Cl). Polyvinyl chloride is very versatile and is used in a wide variety of products, including rainwear, garden hoses, audio discs, and floor tiles.
polyvinyl chloride in Technology
hardware (PVC) A common plastic used for insulating and jacketing many wire and cable products. (2001-03-26)