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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Omega-3s are also known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 19 Oct. 2022 The omega-3 fat known as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) not only helps the brain develop, but also prevents deterioration in older dogs. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2022 Welactin is designed to provide substantial amounts of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) to dogs. —

Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2022 Two types of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are showing promise in brain research. —

Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 23 July 2022 Fish oil is a polyunsaturated fat that contains two types of omega-3 fatty acids — eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, which the human body does not naturally produce in large quantities. —

Bryony Gilbey, chicagotribune.com, 11 Apr. 2021 Omega fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, are key to brain health and most likely helped to drive the evolution of the modern human brain. —

Bret Stetka, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2016 In the human body, ALA can be converted to two other omega-3 fatty acids — eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). —

Kaitlyn Pirie, Good Housekeeping, 26 Nov. 2019 There are three types of omega-3s: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). —

Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, 15 Apr. 2019 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'docosahexaenoic acid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of docosahexaenoic acid was in 1938

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near docosahexaenoic acid

Docoglossa

docosahexaenoic acid

docosane

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Docosahexaenoic acid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/docosahexaenoic%20acid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

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