glucose

noun

glu·​cose ˈglü-ˌkōs 

-ˌkōz

1

: a crystalline sugar C₆H₁₂O₆

specifically : the sweet colorless soluble dextrorotatory form that occurs widely in nature and is the usual form in which carbohydrate is assimilated by animals

2

: a light-colored syrup made from cornstarch

Examples of glucose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Taurine helps regulate glucose, or blood sugar, in the body. —Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 5 Nov. 2024

The corresponding app offers readouts, showing when users’ glucose levels spike and ebb throughout the day. —Jessica Klein, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024

More concerningly his lab tests showed a fasting blood glucose level of 140, and he was diagnosed with prediabetes. —Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 25 Oct. 2024

As expected, diabetes sales led the growth with a 17% rise in sales to over $1.7 billion, of which $1.6 billion can be attributed to glucose monitoring products. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, modification of Greek gleukos must, sweet wine; akin to Greek glykys sweet — more at dulcet

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing glucose

• glucose phosphate
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Kids Definition

glucose

noun

glu·​cose ˈglü-ˌkōs 

: a sugar that occurs especially in a naturally occurring form that is found in plants, fruits, and blood and is a source of energy for living things

Medical Definition

glucose

noun

glu·​cose ˈglü-ˌkōs, -ˌkōz 

: an optically active sugar C₆H₁₂O₆ that has an aldehydic carbonyl group

especially : the sweet colorless soluble dextrorotatory form that occurs widely in nature and is the usual form in which carbohydrate is assimilated by animals