omega-3 fatty acid

American

[oh-mee-guh-three, oh-mey-, oh-meg-uh-] / oʊˈmi gəˈθri, oʊˈmeɪ-, oʊˈmɛg ə- /

noun

a polyunsaturated fatty acid, essential for normal retinal function, that influences various metabolic pathways, resulting in lowered cholesterol and triglyceride levels, inhibited platelet clotting, and reduced inflammatory and immune reactions.

omega-3 fatty acid British

noun

an unsaturated fatty acid that occurs naturally in fish oil and is valuable in reducing blood-cholesterol levels

"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

omega-3 fatty acid Scientific

Any of several polyunsaturated fatty acids found in leafy green vegetables, vegetable oils, and cold-water fish such as salmon and mackerel. These acids are capable of reducing serum cholesterol levels and have anticoagulant properties. Omega-3 fatty acids are chemically characterized by having a double bond three carbon atoms away from one end of their carbon chain.

Etymology

Origin of omega-3 fatty acid

So named because its 1st double bond occurs after the 3rd carbon atom counting from the methyl or omega end of the molecule

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

omega-3 fatty acid

"These studies involved well-established experimental models that mimic insulin resistance in non-obese individuals. Trials in humans are needed to estimate the ideal dose and the most indicated type of omega-3 fatty acid," Curi said.

From Science Daily ● May 31, 2026

Shrimp tails aren’t particularly high in omega-3 fatty acid, iron or iodine.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 2, 2024

Figure 3.18 Alpha-linolenic acid is an example of an omega-3 fatty acid.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

"Walnuts are also high in omega-3 fatty acids. Animal studies in rats have shown that omega-3 fatty acid deficiency can alter several neurotransmitter pathways, including that of serotonin, affecting depression, anxiety, and sleep."

From Fox News ● Feb. 27, 2022

It is also high in the long-chain omega-3 fatty acid DHA, which is vital for human brain development but extremely difficult for vegans to obtain.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 25, 2018

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