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

Sweetness floods the brain with dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in the reward, pleasure and motivation. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

But in higher amounts, dopamine and norepinephrine also raise heart rate and blood pressure and activate brain regions involved in threat perception. —Lauryn Higgins, Time, 11 Nov. 2025

Walking to the mailbox to see a package addressed to me is the ultimate dopamine boost. —Jacqueline Tempera, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025

In fact, too much dopamine makes introverts feel overstimulated and exhausted, prompting them to retreat from noise and crowds. —Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

dopa + amine

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dopamine

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

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