monoamine

noun mono·amine \ ˌmä-nō-ə-ˈmēn \

Updated on: 5 Mar 2018

Definition of monoamine

: an amine RNH₂ that has one organic substituent attached to the nitrogen atom; especially : one (such as serotonin) that is functionally important in neural transmission

Recent Examples of monoamine from the Web

The chemical histamine, which regulates much of the inflammatory response, is also a monoamine, so perhaps there’s a link there too?

— dean burnett, The Cut, "Thinking Beyond the ‘Chemical Imbalance’ Theory of Depression," 11 Jan. 2018
Therefore, a deficiency or absence of monoamine transmitters must be a key factor in depression.

— dean burnett, The Cut, "Thinking Beyond the ‘Chemical Imbalance’ Theory of Depression," 11 Jan. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of monoamine

International Scientific Vocabulary

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1951

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

monoamine

noun mono·am·ine \ ˌmän-ō-ə-ˈmēn , -ˈam-ˌēn \

variants: also monamine play \ˌmän-ə-ˈmēn, -ˈam-ˌēn\

medical Definition of monoamine

: an amine RNH₂ that has one organic substituent attached to the nitrogen atom; especially : one (as serotonin) that is functionally important in neural transmission