monounsaturated

adjective

mono·​un·​sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˌmä-nō-ˌən-ˈsa-chə-ˌrā-təd 

: having one double or triple bond between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain

—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid

Cholesterol is a monounsaturated molecule located in the cell membrane and it is involved in membrane permeability and fluidity.

—Vladimiro Cardenia et al.

see also monounsaturated fat compare polyunsaturated

monounsaturate

ˌmä-nō-ˌən-ˈsa-chə-rət 

noun

plural monounsaturates

Nutritionists like monounsaturates because they lower harmful LDL but maintain HDL levels.

—Marilyn Chase

Examples of monounsaturated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With a glycemic index of 15, black olives provide a unique mix of monounsaturated fats and polyphenols that support appetite regulation. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Avocado Oil Health Benefits May Support a Healthy Heart Like olive oil, avocado oil is rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, which may help support a healthy blood fat profile. —Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2025

Experts have recommended extra virgin olive oil — primarily a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, the oil also contains vitamins E and K, antioxidants that help protect against cell damage and inflammation, and cholesterol-lowering oleic acid. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025

Compared to other seed oils, canola has more heart-healthy monounsaturated fats—abundant in olive and avocado oil—and omega-3s. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing monounsaturated

• monounsaturated fat

Rhymes for monounsaturated

• polyunsaturated
• undifferentiated
• abated
• ablated
• awaited
• belated
• berated
• castrated
• chelated
• citrated
• collated
• conflated

Kids Definition

monounsaturated

adjective

mono·​un·​sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˌmän-ō-ˌən-ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-ed 

: containing one double or triple bond per molecule

—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid

Medical Definition

monounsaturated

adjective

mono·​un·​sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˌmän-ō-ˌən-ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-əd 

: having one double or triple bond between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain

—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid

Canola and olive oils are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids.

see also monounsaturated fat compare polyunsaturated

monounsaturate

ˌmän-ō-ˌən-ˈsach-ə-rət 

noun

… the monounsaturates reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, but do not lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels.

—Scott M. Grundy, The Journal of Nutrition