polyunsaturated

adjective

poly·​un·​sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˌpä-lē-ˌən-ˈsa-chə-ˌrā-təd 

of an oil or fatty acid

: having many double or triple bonds in a molecule compare monounsaturated

Examples of polyunsaturated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dietary fat: In addition to eating healthy polyunsaturated and monosaturated fats and avoiding unhealthy saturated and trans fats, the daily dietary fat intake would need to be restricted to less than 30% of the total calories for children and even less for adults. —Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024

Emu oil is rich in antioxidants like carotenoids and polyunsaturated fats. —Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 28 Feb. 2024

Foods That Are High in Potassium A Quick Review Healthy fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, help lower cholesterol, manage blood pressure, reduce blood sugar, and support brain function. —Selene Yeager, Health, 24 Feb. 2024

In recent decades, Sharma and other researchers have come to appreciate the anti-inflammatory protective benefits of polyunsaturated fats. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 18 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

polyunsaturated

adjective

poly·​un·​sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˈpäl-ē-ˌən-ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-əd 

of an oil or fatty acid

: having many double or triple bonds in a molecule

Medical Definition

polyunsaturated

adjective

poly·​un·​sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˌpäl-ē-ˌən-ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-əd 

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

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

… olive oil and polyunsaturated safflower oil both lowered human blood levels of LDLs, the cholesterol most closely linked with a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

—Science

see also polyunsaturated fat compare monounsaturated

polyunsaturate

ˌpäl-ē-ˌən-ˈsach-ə-rət 

noun

When mammals ingest plant lipids, the polyunsaturates consumed are incorporated into their body fats …

—Craig L. Frank, Ecology