unsaturated

American  

[uhn-sach-uh-rey-tid] / ʌnˈsætʃ əˌreɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. not saturated; having the power to dissolve still more of a substance.

2. 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.

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unsaturated British  

/ ʌnˈsætʃəˌreɪtɪd /

adjective

1. not saturated

2. (of a chemical compound, esp an organic compound) containing one or more double or triple bonds and thus capable of undergoing addition reactions

3. (of a fat, esp a vegetable fat) containing a high proportion of fatty acids having double bonds

4. (of a solution) containing less solute than a saturated solution

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unsaturated Scientific  

/ ŭn-săch′ə-rā′tĭd /

1. 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.

2. Compare saturated See also monounsaturated polyunsaturated

3. Relating to a solution that is capable of dissolving more solute than it already contains.

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Other Word Forms

• unsaturate
  noun
• unsaturation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of unsaturated

First recorded in 1750–60; un- ¹ + saturated

Example Sentences

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 fats and trans fats have some double bonded carbon atoms, while saturated fats do not.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Unsaturated fatty acids have one or more double bonds.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Unsaturated hydrocarbon molecules that contain one or more double bonds are called alkenes.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Unsaturated fatty acids result in kinks in the hydrophobic tails.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013