dopamine

noun

do·​pa·​mine ˈdō-pə-ˌmēn How to pronounce dopamine (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The slower pace allows friends to socialize on the way, and the exercise releases doses of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin to improve student’s moods and brain health for a better day. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026 Chronic stress blunts people’s dopamine response, so nothing feels quite as rewarding, which can look like depression. — Erin Clabough, The Conversation, 31 July 2026 The trend is also of shot dopamine to the closet for some consumers. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 29 July 2026 The exact cause isn’t known, but Parkinson’s develops when cells that produce one of the brain’s chemical messengers — dopamine — begin to deteriorate and die. — CNN Money, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dopamine

Word History

Etymology

dopa + amine

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dopamine was in 1959

Rhymes for dopamine

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Browse Nearby Words

dopa
dopamine
dopaminergic
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Cite this Entry

“Dopamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dopamine. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Medical Definition

dopamine

noun
do·​pa·​mine ˈdō-pə-ˌmēn How to pronounce dopamine (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on dopamine

Nglish: Translation of dopamine for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dopamine

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