glycolysis

noun

gly·​col·​y·​sis glī-ˈkä-lə-səs 

: the enzymatic breakdown of a carbohydrate (such as glucose) by way of phosphate derivatives with the production of pyruvic or lactic acid and energy stored in high-energy phosphate bonds of ATP

glycolytic

ˌglī-kə-ˈli-tik 

adjective

Examples of glycolysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Messing with glycolysis in tumor cells effectively cuts off a tumor’s energy supply, Lee said. — Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 21 May 2026

As a by-product, anaerobic glycolysis creates lactic acid, which can accumulate and become toxic. — Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 13 May 2026

Without it, the electron transport chain stalls, ATP production collapses and cells are forced into anaerobic glycolysis. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 14 Jan. 2026

While many genes saw changes after the researchers selected for mite resistance, those associated with metabolic processes such as glycolysis, which involves enzymes breaking down glucose, were especially affected. — Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for glycolysis

• autolysis
• cytolysis
• haemolysis
• hydrolysis
• lipolysis
• photolysis
• pyrolysis
• thermolysis
• electrolysis
• fibrinolysis
• radiolysis
• glycogenolysis

Medical Definition

glycolysis

noun

gly·​col·​y·​sis glī-ˈkäl-ə-səs 

plural glycolyses -ˌsēz 

: the enzymatic breakdown of a carbohydrate (as glucose or glycogen) by way of phosphate derivatives with the production of pyruvic or lactic acid and energy stored in high-energy phosphate bonds of ATP

called also Embden-Meyerhof pathway

glycolytic

ˌglī-kə-ˈlit-ik 

adjective

glycolytically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb