glycogen

noun

gly·​co·​gen ˈglī-kə-jən 

: a white amorphous tasteless polysaccharide (C₆H₁₀O₅)_x that is the principal form in which glucose is stored in animal tissues and especially muscle and liver tissue

Examples of glycogen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After a substantial time without eating, the body uses up its glycogen (sugar) stores and starts burning fat. —Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 14 Aug. 2024

Then the breakdown of muscle glycogen that produces energy also results in the making of lactate plus a hydrogen ion. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 9 Aug. 2024

While carbs are important before exercise, especially endurance exercises like a long hike, they're also needed to restore glycogen stores afterward. —Johna Burdeos, Rd, Health, 22 July 2024

Transition to your non-keto phase: Between your very-low-carb period is your higher-carb period to replenish glycogen stores. —Lauren Panoff, Mph, Rd, Verywell Health, 22 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

glycogen

noun

gly·​co·​gen ˈglī-kə-jən 

: a white tasteless substance that is the chief form in which glucose is stored in animals

Medical Definition

glycogen

noun

gly·​co·​gen ˈglī-kə-jən 

: a white amorphous tasteless polysaccharide (C₆H₁₀O₅)_x that constitutes the principal form in which glucose is stored in animal tissues, occurs especially in the liver and in muscle and also in fungi and yeasts, and resembles starch in molecular structure and in the formation of only glucose on complete hydrolysis

called also animal starch