fructose

noun

fruc·​tose ˈfrək-ˌtōs  ˈfrük-  ˈfru̇k- 

-ˌtōz

1

: a crystalline sugar C₆H₁₂O₆ sweeter and more soluble than glucose

2

: the very sweet levorotatory d-form of fructose that occurs especially in fruit juices and honey

called also fruit sugar, levulose

Examples of fructose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its signature My Microbiome program builds a bespoke gut retreat around each guest’s lab results, with breakfasts free of lactose, fructose, fructans, galactans and polyols. —Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026

On the My Microbiome program, breakfast is free of lactose, fructose, fructans, galactans and polyols, and is selected based on each guest’s individual lab results. —Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026

In your body, glucose converts to energy in your cells, while fructose is processed mostly in the liver, where it can be turned into fat. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 30 May 2026

Apples, pears, peaches, plums, honey, and fruit juices (high in fructose). —Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin frūctus fruit entry 1 + -ose entry 2

Note: The term was apparently introduced by the British chemist William Allen Miller (1817-70) in Elements of Chemistry: Theoretical and Practical, Part III, Organic Chemistry (London, 1857), p. 57.

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fructose

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

Kids Definition

fructose

noun

fruc·​tose ˈfrək-ˌtōs  ˈfru̇k- 

: a very sweet sugar that dissolves easily and occurs especially in fruit juices and honey

Medical Definition

fructose

noun

fruc·​tose ˈfrək-ˌtōs  ˈfrük-  ˈfru̇k- 

-ˌtōz

1

: an optically active sugar C₆H₁₂O₆ that differs from glucose in having a ketonic rather than an aldehydic carbonyl group

2

: the very sweet soluble levorotatory D-form of fructose that occurs especially in fruit juices and honey

called also levulose