arachidonic acid

American

[ar-uh-ki-don-ik, ar-] / ˈær ə kɪˈdɒn ɪk, ˌær- /

noun

Biochemistry.

an essential fatty acid, C 20 H 32 O 2 , found in the lipids of most tissues, that is a precursor in the synthesis of prostaglandins, prostacyclins, and related effectors.

arachidonic acid British

/ ˌærəkəˈdɒnɪk /

noun

a fatty acid occurring in animal cells: the metabolic precursor of several groups of biologically active substances, including prostaglandins

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of arachidonic acid

First recorded in 1910–15; arachid(ic) + -onic

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.

See Examples For:

arachidonic acid

"Nestle has undertaken testing of all arachidonic acid oil and corresponding oil mixes used in the production of potentially impacted infant nutrition products," it said on its website.

From Barron's ● Jan. 5, 2026

Most of them were lipids, including arachidonic acid and other complex lipids containing either an arachidonic or a linoleic fatty acid side chain, the study specified.

From Salon ● May 2, 2024

Given its presence in human milk, arachidonic acid is considered essential for infant brain development and is added to infant formula in many countries.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 30, 2024

However, other research doesn't support the idea reducing dietary linoleic acid affects the amount of arachidonic acid in your body.

From Salon ● Feb. 21, 2024

The team found that restricting calorie intake increased levels of a lipid known as arachidonic acid.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 30, 2024

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023