galactose

noun

ga·​lac·​tose gə-ˈlak-ˌtōs 

-ˌtōz

: a sugar C₆H₁₂O₆ less soluble and less sweet than glucose

Examples of galactose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Alpha-gal is a molecule (galactose-α-1,3-galactose) naturally produced in most mammals (but not in people), and it’s also found in the saliva of some ticks. — Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 27 July 2026

The study surveyed blood donations for the disease’s key antibody, which is in a class dubbed IgE and specifically attacks a double-sugar molecule called galactose-α-1,3-galactose, also known as alpha-gal. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026

With a working version of that gene, the recipient bacteria, in theory, could again feast on galactose. — Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 6 July 2026

Alpha-gal syndrome is a type of allergy to a sugar molecule (Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose) that’s found in mammals like pigs, lambs and cows—but not humans. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, from Greek galakt-, gála "milk" + French -ose -ose entry 2; from the occurrence of the sugar in milk — more at galaxy

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for galactose

• lactose

Kids Definition

galactose

noun

ga·​lac·​tose gə-ˈlak-ˌtōs 

: a sugar that is less easily dissolved and is less sweet than glucose

Medical Definition

galactose

noun

ga·​lac·​tose gə-ˈlak-ˌtōs, -ˌtōz 

: an optically active sugar C₆H₁₂O₆ that is less soluble and less sweet than glucose and is known in dextrorotatory, levorotatory, and racemic forms