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

How Nicotine Affects the Body Nicotine is a highly addictive stimulant that prompts the brain’s reward center to release the neurotransmitter dopamine, triggering feelings of pleasure and improving mood. —Erica Sweeney, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Mar. 2026

How does tech hijack the brain's dopamine system? —Alicia Garceau, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026

At therapeutic doses, GLP-1 drugs cross the blood-brain barrier and dampen dopamine signaling in the brain’s core reward center, making addictive substances less rewarding. —Ziyad Al-Aly, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2026

Free-wheeling and overflowing with dopamine, the songs on Nondi… feel like electronic renderings of the vacuous promise of connection in digital society. —Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 5 Mar. 2026

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