dopamine

American  

[doh-puh-meen] / ˈdoʊ pəˌmin /

noun

• dopamines
  plural

1. Biochemistry. a catecholamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, retina, and sympathetic ganglia, acting within the brain to help regulate movement and emotion: its depletion may cause Parkinson's disease.

2. Pharmacology. a dopamine preparation used to increase the force of contraction of the heart in the treatment of shock.

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dopamine British  

/ ˈdɒpəmɪn /

noun

1. a chemical found in the brain that acts as a neurotransmitter and is an intermediate compound in the synthesis of noradrenaline. Formula: (HO) 2 C 6 H 3 (CH 2 ) 2 NH 2

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• dopamines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of dopamine

First recorded in 1955–60; see origin at dopa, amine

Compare meaning

How does dopamine compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dopamine vs. serotonin

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dopamine dopamines

And when a child actor's career changes or comes to an end, they are left without the dopamine of fame and money that came with their identity as an actor, cautioned Trautman.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

I had gravitated to the color like a moth to light, seeking the dopamine hit of its glow, as if by osmosis I could absorb and become it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

In terms of our own brains, we often refer to it as the "dopamine hit" that is triggered by winning a game or even receiving a positive comment on a social media post.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

Dr. Solomon Snyder sought to identify the brain receptor for dopamine.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

The way he thinks about it is that even the smallest click of a device gives a little rush, a tiny dopamine squirt.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

She likes babies: the thought of them fills her with dopamines and endorphins; and the inveterate shopper that she is, buying for them couldn't make her much higher.

From Tokyo to Tijuana: Gabriele Departing America by Steven (Steven David Justin) Sills