What is "caprolactam"

n. (context organic compound English) A lactam (cyclic amide) manufactured from cyclohexanone and used in the manufacture of nylon.

Caprolactam (CPL) is an organic compound with the formula (CH)C(O)NH. This colourless solid is a lactam (a cyclic amide) of caproic acid. Approximately 4.5 billion kilograms are produced annually. Caprolactam is the precursor to Nylon 6, a widely used synthetic polymer.