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

While an occasional cola is unlikely to cause harm, regular intake may place strain on the kidneys due to ingredients like phosphoric acid, high-fructose corn syrup, and caffeine. —Md Published, Verywell Health, 2 May 2026

Simple carbohydrates include single sugars, such as glucose or fructose, and two sugars linked together, such as sucrose – table sugar – or lactose, milk sugar. —Julie Pollock, The Conversation, 1 May 2026

They’re still made up of glucose and fructose and contribute to overall sugar intake. —Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026

Maple syrup also has less fructose than honey, DeCicco added, and rice malt and glucose syrup have zero fructose. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 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