Synthetic - What does synthetic mean?

Definition of SYNTHETIC:

This term refers to a whole that is made by combining two or more parts and, in particular, is man-made rather than naturally occurring. Synthetic materials are made artificially by combining two or more components together; this usually involves causing a chemical reaction between two or more compounds, as in the creation of most polymers (a group that includes all plastics and rubbers). In this case, the compounds being combined are monomers, which join together to form polymers.

In label production, a variety of synthetic materials and substances are used to make all of the components of a label construction, including the materials used to make the face material, adhesive, release coating, coatings, backing sheet, and printing inks and toners. Synthetic materials can be manufactured with a specific range of properties that suit the requirements of a particular application, making them much more suited to a particular use than natural materials, which may not have all of the necessary properties to function as required.

Here is the Harvard-style citation to use if you would like to reference this definition of the word synthetic:
Label Planet (2020) What does synthetic mean? | Synthetic Definition. Available at: https://www.labelplanet.co.uk/glossary/synthetic/ (Accessed: January 1, 2024).