glucagon

noun

glu·​ca·​gon ˈglü-kə-ˌgän 

: a protein hormone that is produced especially by the islets of Langerhans and that promotes an increase in the sugar content of the blood by increasing the rate of glycogen breakdown in the liver

Examples of glucagon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some companies are looking at drugs based on the hormone glucagon. —Roxanne Khamsi, The Atlantic, 19 Nov. 2025

Allulose is low in calories and carbohydrates and has been found to increase levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone that regulates appetite and satiety. —Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 12 Nov. 2025

According to WebMD, Ozempic, a semaglutide, prevents the pancreas from releasing glucagon, which is a hormone that stimulates the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream. —Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025

The weight-loss drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 drugs, or GLP-1s, suppress the appetite of users, leading to weight loss. —Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

gluc- + -agon (perhaps from Greek agōn, present participle of agein to lead, drive) — more at agent

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for glucagon

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• chitosan
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon

Medical Definition

glucagon

noun

glu·​ca·​gon ˈglü-kə-ˌgän 

: a protein hormone that is produced especially by the pancreatic islets of Langerhans and that promotes an increase in the sugar content of the blood by increasing the rate of breakdown of glycogen in the liver

called also hyperglycemic factor, hyperglycemic-glycogenolytic factor