dopamine

noun

do·​pa·​mine ˈdō-pə-ˌmēn 

: a monoamine C₈H₁₁NO₂ that is a decarboxylated form of dopa and that occurs especially as a neurotransmitter in the brain

Examples of dopamine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On Robust Earnings Reports—As Microsoft Reclaims Crown As World’s Largest Company When former legends appear with a pickleball paddle in their hands, does the dopamine hit go public? —Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

These include medicines that increase available dopamine, resemble dopamine or block its natural breakdown. —Lillian Ali, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025

Notifications of new matches can feel similar to the dopamine rush some people receive from Instagram likes. —Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2025

The process converts the dopamine into polydopamine, a biocompatible polymer. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

dopa + amine

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dopamine

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Medical Definition

dopamine

noun

do·​pa·​mine ˈdō-pə-ˌmēn 

: a monoamine C₈H₁₁NO₂ that is a decarboxylated form of dopa and occurs especially as a neurotransmitter in the brain and as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of epinephrine see intropin