: any of a class of basic organic compounds derived from ammonia by replacement of hydrogen with one or more monovalent hydrocarbon radicals compare amide sense 2

Examples of amine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Many commercially available tattoo inks contain hazardous substances — including heavy metals like lead, mercury, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and primary aromatic amines (PAAs) formed from azo dyes. Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 Other compounds like ammonia and amines contribute to the fishy smell, Jen said. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 5 June 2025 Also, amines are potential carcinogenic agents and can contaminate air, soil, and water, so plants need to figure in an attendant expense to manage environmental risks. Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 Fats and proteins are broken down and transformed into biogenic amines and toxins, which, when unbalanced, can potentially lead to systemic intoxication and inflammation. Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for amine

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, from New Latin ammonia

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amine was in 1857

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amine. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

: any of various carbon compounds derived from ammonia

Medical Definition

: any of a class of organic compounds derived from ammonia by replacement of one, two, or three hydrogen atoms with alkyl groups see primary amine, secondary amine, tertiary amine

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