styrofoam
nounUK /ˈstaɪ.ɹə.fəʊm/ · US /ˈstaɪ.ɹə.foʊm/
Etymology Genericized trademark of Styrofoam, from -styr- (from polystyrene) + -o- + foam.
1
Expanded polystyrene foam, such as is used in cups and packaging.
- A while ago I read your column concerning the effects of hot tea on styrofoam cups.1988 November 4, Cecil Adams, “The Straight Dope”, in Chicago Reader:
- In the past two years, NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope has located nearly 3,000 exoplanet candidates ranging from sub-Earth-sized minions to gas giants that dwarf our own Jupiter. Their densities range from that of styrofoam to iron.2013 May-June, Kevin Heng, “Why Does Nature Form Exoplanets Easily”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3, archived from the original on 09 May 2013, page 184:
1 more example
- Expanded polystyrene foam—commonly, although incorrectly, called Styrofoam—has been the subject of a protracted battle between New York City officials and large industry players, particularly Dart.2018 August 9, Gerald Porter Jr., Corinne Ramey, “Industry-Backed Group Keeps Fighting Foam Ban”, in The Wall Street Journal, archived from the original on 19 Aug 2023:
- Derived terms
- styro, styrofoamed, styrofoam popcorn, styrofoamy