any of various compounds, as norepinephrine and dopamine, that are secretions, or byproducts of secretions, of the medulla of the adrenal gland and that affect the sympathetic nervous system
Origin:
catechol + amine
See catecholamine in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
Any of a group of amines derived from catechol that have important physiological effects as neurotransmitters and hormones and include epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.