unsaturated
Americanadjective
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not saturated; having the power to dissolve still more of a substance.
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Chemistry. (of an organic compound) having a double or triple bond and capable of taking on elements or groups by direct chemical combination without the liberation of other elements or compounds, as ethylene, CH 2 =CH 2 ; undersaturated.
adjective
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not saturated
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(of a chemical compound, esp an organic compound) containing one or more double or triple bonds and thus capable of undergoing addition reactions
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(of a fat, esp a vegetable fat) containing a high proportion of fatty acids having double bonds
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(of a solution) containing less solute than a saturated solution
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Relating to an organic compound in which two or more of the carbon atoms are joined by a double or triple bond and therefore can be combined with additional atoms or radicals. Benzene and acetylene are examples of unsaturated compounds.
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Compare saturated See also monounsaturated polyunsaturated
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Relating to a solution that is capable of dissolving more solute than it already contains.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unsaturated
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Unsaturated fats such as omega-3 fats, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseed, avocados and fatty fish such as salmon can also support a healthy microbiome.
From Salon • Oct. 29, 2024
Unsaturated fatty acids may have one or more double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
Unsaturated fats or oils are usually of plant origin and contain cis unsaturated fatty acids.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
Unsaturated and trans fats are the same; the fatty acids are just found on opposite sides of a trans fat.
From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022
Unsaturated fats help to improve blood cholesterol levels, whereas saturated fats contribute to plaque formation in the arteries, which increases the risk of a heart attack.
From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
