a colourless, water-insoluble resin belonging to the family of organic polymers, prepared by treating its monomer, vinyl acetate, with peroxide catalysts. In its most important application, polyvinyl acetate comprises the film-forming ingredient of water-based (latex) paints; it also is used in adhesives, lacquers, and cements and as the starting material for making polyvinyl alcohol (q.v.).

Polyvinyl acetate resins are thermoplastic (they soften upon heating) and flammable; they dissolve in certain organic compounds, including methanol, benzene, butyl acetate, and methyl ethyl ketone.