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
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And children who grow up with second screening, browsing social media while watching a TV show, are training their brains to seek out dopamine.
—
Rachel Hale, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
The thrill of finding an old blow-mold pumpkin or a tin serving tray is a true dopamine hit for me.
—The Know, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
His brain went kablooey on dopamine.
—Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025
First, using an addictive substance causes the release of a chemical messenger called dopamine in the reward network, which makes the user feel good.
—Claire Wilcox, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
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Rachel Hale, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025
The thrill of finding an old blow-mold pumpkin or a tin serving tray is a true dopamine hit for me.
—The Know, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025
His brain went kablooey on dopamine.
—Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2025
First, using an addictive substance causes the release of a chemical messenger called dopamine in the reward network, which makes the user feel good.
—Claire Wilcox, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dopamine
Cite this Entry
“Dopamine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dopamine. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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