polyunsaturated
adjective
poly·un·sat·u·rat·ed
ˌpä-lē-ˌən-ˈsa-chə-ˌrā-təd 
: having more than one double or triple bond between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain
—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid
Polyunsaturated oils are liquid at room temperature and in the refrigerator.—
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
see also polyunsaturated fat compare monounsaturated
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
polyunsaturate
noun
plural polyunsaturates
In 1985, they reported that monounsaturates lowered total blood cholesterol just as well as polyunsaturates.
—Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Examples of polyunsaturated in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been shown to lower blood pressure, boost good cholesterol, maintain cell health, and reduce the risk for cancer, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.
—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
26 June 2026
Hemp Seeds Hemp seeds are often recommended in heart-healthy diets due to their impressive levels of magnesium and polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 fatty acids.
—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
25 June 2026
Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado oil, and flaxseed oil contain heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that can help reduce inflammation and support overall health.
—
Julie Scott,
Verywell Health,
22 June 2026
Switching to foods that provide polyunsaturated fats, which directly lower LDL, and others that contain plant sterols and stanols, which block the absorption of cholesterol, can lower your numbers, according to Harvard Medical School.
—
Gavin Escott,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for polyunsaturated
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Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
26 June 2026
Hemp Seeds Hemp seeds are often recommended in heart-healthy diets due to their impressive levels of magnesium and polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 fatty acids.
—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
25 June 2026
Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado oil, and flaxseed oil contain heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that can help reduce inflammation and support overall health.
—
Julie Scott,
Verywell Health,
22 June 2026
Switching to foods that provide polyunsaturated fats, which directly lower LDL, and others that contain plant sterols and stanols, which block the absorption of cholesterol, can lower your numbers, according to Harvard Medical School.
—
Gavin Escott,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for polyunsaturated
Cite this Entry
“Polyunsaturated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polyunsaturated. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
Science
polyunsaturate
noun
When mammals ingest plant lipids, the polyunsaturates consumed are incorporated into their body fats …
—Craig L. Frank, Ecology
Craig L. Frank, Ecology
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