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

Naturally occurring sugars can still affect blood glucose levels, making the total carbohydrate content important for people with diabetes to consider. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026

The combination also resulted in a greater improvement in blood glucose control. — Mike McRae 09, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026

Corn or grape sugar is commonly known as glucose, but the term actually refers to specifically one form, called the D-enantiomer, of this sugar. — Mallory Green, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026

Nor were there records that tracked when, or if, Christian took his insulin and the readings from his glucose monitors. — Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

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-dependent insulinotropic peptide
• glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide
• glucose phosphate
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Rhymes for glucose

• arkose
• engross
• faroese
• fructose
• fucose
• gatos
• jocose
• morose
• plateaus
• spinose
• vadose
• adios

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