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

Under acute stress, Arnsten's work shows, high levels of norepinephrine and dopamine weaken the prefrontal cortex while strengthening the more primitive, reflexive responses governed by the amygdala. — Kwame Christian Esq, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

This head-to-to pink look is a masterclass in dopamine dressing and Barbiecore. — Staff Author, InStyle, 19 June 2026

That variable reward, Kropp told me, hacks people’s dopamine circuits. — Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026

Yet the researchers found that with an acoustic synapse, simply adding an extra rod allowed the system to mimic a number of neuromodulatory processes—including rapid responses (such as dopamine effects on synaptic strength during learning) and slow, long-term responses (such as chronic stress). — IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

dopa + amine

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dopamine

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

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