pol ‧ y ‧ sty ‧ rene /ˌpɒlɪˈstaɪriːn◂ $ ˌpɑː-/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Date: 1900-2000 ; Origin: poly- + styrene type of chemical compound (19-21 centuries) (from Latin styrax type of plant) ]
British English a soft light plastic material that prevents heat or cold from passing through it, used especially for making containers SYN Styrofoam