dopamine

American

[doh-puh-meen] / ˈdoʊ pəˌmin /

noun

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

dopamine British

/ ˈdɒpəmɪn /

noun

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

"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

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

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:

dopamine dopamines

One of the defining features of Parkinson's is the loss of neurons that produce dopamine.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 1, 2026

We want instant gratification, whether it’s a boost of dopamine from checking ETFs, or a sugar rush from eating candy.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026

Episodes are chopped up into two-minute dopamine hits, with endless cliff-hangers and plot twists to keep viewers tuned in.

From Slate ● Sep. 28, 2026

It activates dopamine, the neurotransmitter in the brain that triggers a feeling of relaxation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026

He ran a test on one of their neurotransmitters that regulates dopamine, which in turn is associated with attention.

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

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