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

Similar to how GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists) suppress appetite and trigger weight loss, peptides can signal other functions, like the release of growth hormones. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026

Semaglutide falls under a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1s, which mimic the GLP-1 hormone produced in the gut after eating. —Dr. Grace Hagan, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026

Some have been widely studied and approved as commercial drugs like insulin and GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1). —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 15 Apr. 2026

The hormone insulin is a peptide that moves sugar from the bloodstream into cells; GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, spurs the pancreas to release insulin and slows the passage of food through the gut. —Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026

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
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon
• epsilon

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