docosahexaenoic acid

noun

do·​co·​sa·​hex·​a·​e·​no·​ic acid ˌdō-kō-sə-ˌhek-sə-ˌē-ˈnō-ik- 

: an omega-3 fatty acid C₂₂H₃₂O₂ found especially in fish of cold waters

—abbreviation DHA

Examples of docosahexaenoic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are three main types of omega-3 fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), per the ODS. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025

There are three main types of omega-3 fats: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). —Jillian Kubala, Health, 24 Mar. 2025

Made from the tissue of oily fish (like the ones above), fish oil is just a straight, potent stuff filled with a mix of fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2025

Salmon is an excellent source of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. —Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 27 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary docosanoic acid (a crystalline fatty acid) + hexa- + -ene + -oic

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for docosahexaenoic acid

• antacid
• placid

Medical Definition

docosahexaenoic acid

noun

do·​co·​sa·​hex·​a·​e·​no·​ic acid ˌdō-kō-sə-ˌhek-sə-ˌē-ˌnō-ik- 

: an omega-3 fatty acid C₂₂H₃₂O₂ found especially in fish of cold waters

—abbreviation DHA