polyunsaturated
adjective
poly·un·sat·u·rat·ed
ˌpä-lē-ˌən-ˈsa-chə-ˌrā-təd 
: having more than one double or triple bond between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain
—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid
Polyunsaturated oils are liquid at room temperature and in the refrigerator.—
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
see also polyunsaturated fat compare monounsaturated
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
polyunsaturate
noun
plural polyunsaturates
In 1985, they reported that monounsaturates lowered total blood cholesterol just as well as polyunsaturates.
—Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Examples of polyunsaturated in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many popular cooking oils, including avocado oil, contain a balance of mono- and polyunsaturated fats that contribute to health benefits.
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025
Seed oils contain a mix of anti-inflammatory mono- and polyunsaturated fats and plant compounds with beneficial health properties.
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 20 Dec. 2024
The physician Catherine Shanahan’s book Dark Calories, an exhaustive account of the arguments against seed oil, posits that polyunsaturated seed oils promote oxidative stress, which drives all disease.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2024
Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado oil, and flaxseed oil contain heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that can help reduce inflammation and support overall health.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polyunsaturated 
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Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 31 Jan. 2025
Seed oils contain a mix of anti-inflammatory mono- and polyunsaturated fats and plant compounds with beneficial health properties.
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 20 Dec. 2024
The physician Catherine Shanahan’s book Dark Calories, an exhaustive account of the arguments against seed oil, posits that polyunsaturated seed oils promote oxidative stress, which drives all disease.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2024
Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado oil, and flaxseed oil contain heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that can help reduce inflammation and support overall health.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for polyunsaturated
Dictionary Entries Near polyunsaturated
Cite this Entry
“Polyunsaturated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polyunsaturated. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
polyunsaturated
adjective
poly·un·sat·u·rat·ed
ˈpäl-ē-ˌən-ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-əd
of an oil or fatty acid
: having many double or triple bonds in a molecule
Medical Definition
polyunsaturated
adjective
poly·un·sat·u·rat·ed
ˌpäl-ē-ˌən-ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-əd
: having more than one double or triple bond between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain
—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid
… olive oil and polyunsaturated safflower oil both lowered human blood levels of LDLs, the cholesterol most closely linked with a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.—Science
see also polyunsaturated fat compare monounsaturated
Science
polyunsaturate
noun
When mammals ingest plant lipids, the polyunsaturates consumed are incorporated into their body fats …
—Craig L. Frank, Ecology
Craig L. Frank, Ecology
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