rubber

1 of 2

noun (1)

rub·​ber ˈrə-bər How to pronounce rubber (audio)
1
a
: one that rubs
b
: an instrument or object (such as a rubber eraser) used in rubbing, polishing, scraping, or cleaning
c
: something that prevents rubbing or chafing
2
[from its use in erasers]
a
: an elastic substance that is obtained by coagulating the milky juice of any of various tropical plants (as of the genera Hevea and Ficus), is essentially a polymer of isoprene, and is prepared as sheets and then dried

called also caoutchouc, india rubber

b
: any of various synthetic rubberlike substances
c
: natural or synthetic rubber modified by chemical treatment to increase its useful properties (such as toughness and resistance to wear) and used especially in tires, electrical insulation, and waterproof materials
3
: something made of or resembling rubber: such as
a
: a rubber overshoe
b(1)
: a rubber tire
(2)
: the set of tires on a vehicle
c
: a rectangular slab of white rubber in the middle of a baseball infield on which a pitcher stands while pitching
rubber adjective

rubber

2 of 2

noun (2)

1
: a contest consisting of an odd number of games won by the side that takes a majority (such as two out of three)
2
: an odd game played to determine the winner of a tie

Examples of rubber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Certain types of plastic, rubber, and foam, such as EVA, provide the right balance of shock absorption, softness, and comfortable grip for little hands. Tanya Edwards, Parents, 13 Mar. 2024 Additionally, there’s a mounting pile of evidence that heavier vehicles can pollute the Earth in other ways by kicking up brake dust and rubber from tires that wear away on the road. Owen Bellwood / Jalopnik, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 The video posted to Facebook shows Richmond Wildlife Center Executive Director Melissa Stanley wearing a red fox mask to cover her face, along with rubber gloves. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2024 Often less accurate than bullets, the foam or rubber rounds are designed to spread the force of impact over a larger area, without penetrating the skin. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024 The non-skid rubber feet ensure that the machine stays in place and the non-stick surface prevents the batter from latching on while cooking. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 This suede version features a preformed rubber sole and classic stripes in white. Lucrezia Malavolta, Glamour, 4 Mar. 2024 These slip-on shoes are ideal for travelers living a busy life who don’t want to be inhibited by fussy shoes, while a luxe leather exterior and rubber sole ensure that these shoes are sure to be a mainstay in your wardrobe for years to come. Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 29 Feb. 2024 Bringing that show to Las Vegas for a rubber match could create a Sphere-like atmosphere ahead of both teams being NCAA Tournament hosts in the same season for the first time since 1992. Jeff Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rubber.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rubber was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near rubber

Cite this Entry

“Rubber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rubber. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rubber

1 of 2 noun
rub·​ber ˈrəb-ər How to pronounce rubber (audio)
1
: something used in rubbing, polishing, scraping, or cleaning
2
a
: an elastic substance obtained from the milky juice of various tropical plants
b
: any of various synthetic substances like rubber
3
: something made of or resembling rubber: as
a
: a rubber overshoe
b
: a rectangular slab of white rubber in the middle of a baseball infield on which a pitcher stands while pitching
4
: condom
rubberlike
-ˌlīk
adjective
rubbery
ˈrəb-(ə-)rē
adjective

rubber

2 of 2 noun
1
: a contest that consists of an odd number of games (as card games) and is won by the side that takes a majority (as two out of three)
2
: an extra game played to decide the winner of a tie

Medical Definition

rubber

noun
rub·​ber ˈrəb-ər How to pronounce rubber (audio)
1
: an elastic substance that is obtained by coagulating the milky juice of any of various tropical plants (as of the genera Hevea and Ficus), is essentially a polymer of isoprene, and is prepared as sheets and then dried

called also caoutchouc, india rubber

2
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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