glucose

noun

glu·​cose ˈglü-ˌkōs 

-ˌkōz

1

: a crystalline sugar C₆H₁₂O₆

specifically : the sweet colorless soluble dextrorotatory form that occurs widely in nature and is the usual form in which carbohydrate is assimilated by animals

2

: a light-colored syrup made from cornstarch

Examples of glucose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What a Glucose Spike Actually Is A glucose spike is a rapid rise in blood sugar after eating, typically peaking around 75 minutes post-meal. —Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026

Tau changes how the brain uses glucose to stimulate brain activity, the researchers concluded. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2026

Why Calories Alone Miss the Picture Two meals with identical calorie counts can produce very different insulin and glucose responses. —Allison Palmer, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026

Your fasting glucose or A1C could look reassuring on paper while a pattern of post-meal spikes quietly contributes to blood vessel damage. —Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, modification of Greek gleukos must, sweet wine; akin to Greek glykys sweet — more at dulcet

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing glucose

• glucose phosphate
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Rhymes for glucose

• arkose
• engross
• faroese
• fructose
• fucose
• gatos
• jocose
• morose
• vadose
• adios
• adipose
• amylose

Kids Definition

glucose

noun

glu·​cose ˈglü-ˌkōs 

: a sugar that occurs especially in a naturally occurring form that is found in plants, fruits, and blood and is a source of energy for living things

Medical Definition

glucose

noun

glu·​cose ˈglü-ˌkōs, -ˌkōz 

: an optically active sugar C₆H₁₂O₆ that has an aldehydic carbonyl group

especially : the sweet colorless soluble dextrorotatory form that occurs widely in nature and is the usual form in which carbohydrate is assimilated by animals