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

Potential for High Blood Sugar When lactose is broken down by lactase in milk, it is turned into glucose and galactose, which are considered simple sugars. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 8 Aug. 2025

Monosaccharides: Glucose, galactose, and fructose are monosaccharides. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 3 Apr. 2025

Lactose is a disaccharide, meaning it is composed of two types of simpler sugars, glucose and galactose, that are bound together. —Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2024

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