monounsaturated

adjective

mono·​un·​sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˌmä-nō-ˌən-ˈsa-chə-ˌrā-təd 

: having one double or triple bond between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain

—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid

Cholesterol is a monounsaturated molecule located in the cell membrane and it is involved in membrane permeability and fluidity.

—Vladimiro Cardenia et al.

see also monounsaturated fat compare polyunsaturated

monounsaturate

ˌmä-nō-ˌən-ˈsa-chə-rət 

noun

plural monounsaturates

Nutritionists like monounsaturates because they lower harmful LDL but maintain HDL levels.

—Marilyn Chase

Examples of monounsaturated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Avocados Avocados are a good source of fiber, healthy monounsaturated fats, and potassium, but these creamy green fruits are not considered a high-protein food, Saperstein said. —Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025

One of its standout features is its high level of monounsaturated fats, the same heart-healthy fats found in olive oil. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025

These poly- and monounsaturated fats can slow digestion and trigger hormones that promote satiety. —Allison Forsyth, Health, 21 Oct. 2025

Healthy monounsaturated fats help with this, too. —Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing monounsaturated

• monounsaturated fat

Rhymes for monounsaturated

• polyunsaturated
• undifferentiated
• abated
• ablated
• awaited
• belated
• berated
• castrated
• chelated
• citrated
• collated
• conflated

Kids Definition

monounsaturated

adjective

mono·​un·​sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˌmän-ō-ˌən-ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-ed 

: containing one double or triple bond per molecule

—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid

Medical Definition

monounsaturated

adjective

mono·​un·​sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˌmän-ō-ˌən-ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-əd 

: having one double or triple bond between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain

—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid

Canola and olive oils are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids.

see also monounsaturated fat compare polyunsaturated

monounsaturate

ˌmän-ō-ˌən-ˈsach-ə-rət 

noun

… the monounsaturates reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, but do not lower high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels.

—Scott M. Grundy, The Journal of Nutrition