eicosapentaenoic acid

noun

ei·​co·​sa·​pen·​ta·​e·​no·​ic acid ˌī-kō-sə-ˌpen-tə-ē-ˈnō-ik- 

: an omega-3 fatty acid C₂₀H₃₀O₂ found especially in fish oils

Examples of eicosapentaenoic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These are healthy fats that support heart health and include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in seafood, while alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is found in plants. — Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 8 Nov. 2026

The pills used in the trial, which weren’t made from fish, didn’t contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), another type of omega-3 fatty acid that comes in fish oil supplements alongside DHA. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 2 Nov. 2026

Fish oil supplements provide eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 18 June 2026

How Omega-3s Affect Heart Health Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), help regulate inflammation throughout the body, supporting healthy blood vessel function, an essential component of heart health. — Jillian Kubala, Health, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary eicosa- twenty (from Greek eikosa-, from eikosi) + penta- + -ene + -oic — more at vigesimal

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for eicosapentaenoic acid

• antacid
• placid

Medical Definition

eicosapentaenoic acid

noun

ei·​co·​sa·​pen·​ta·​e·​no·​ic acid ˌī-kō-sə-ˌpen-tə-ē-ˌnō-ik-, -i-ˌnō-ik- 

: an omega-3 fatty acid C₂₀H₃₀O₂ found especially in the oil of cold-water fish (such as salmon, mackerel, and herring)

—abbreviation EPA