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

His blood glucose levels were high when he was brought to a welcome center operated by the Department of Child Safety, which sought medical help for Blodgett from a children’s hospital where he was treated over several days. — Jacques Billeaud, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

The Libre Duo is the first 2-in-1 CGM that measures both glucose and ketone levels. — Victoria Song, The Verge, 2 Sep. 2026

As glucose enters your bloodstream, your blood sugar naturally rises. — Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2026

While older Omnipods could be used alongside a Libre glucose monitoring system, the new integrations allow the Omnipod 5 to receive glucose levels and automatically adjust insulin every five minutes. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 1 Sep. 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-dependent insulinotropic peptide
• glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide
• glucose phosphate
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Rhymes for glucose

• arkose
• engross
• faroese
• fructose
• fucose
• gatos
• jocose
• morose
• plateaus
• spinose
• vadose
• adios

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