glucose

noun glu·cose \ ˈglü-ˌkōs , -ˌkōz \

Updated on: 11 Apr 2018

Definition of glucose

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

See glucose defined for English-language learners

See glucose defined for kids

Recent Examples of glucose from the Web

Insurance reimburses for glucose monitors for the most advanced Type 2 patients.

— mike freeman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Dexcom wins FDA approval for next generation of glucose monitors for diabetes," 28 Mar. 2018
Compared with the 12-hour schedule, the six-hour window significantly lowered blood pressure and improved insulin sensitivity, the ability to process glucose.

— david kohn, chicagotribune.com, "Can timing of meals help with weight loss?," 27 Mar. 2018
Compared with the 12-hour schedule, the six-hour window significantly lowered blood pressure and improved insulin sensitivity, the ability to process glucose.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Timing your meals may help with weight loss -- it seems to do so in mice," 27 Mar. 2018
Compared with the 12-hour schedule, the six-hour window significantly lowered blood pressure and improved insulin sensitivity, the ability to process glucose.

— author: david kohn, Anchorage Daily News, "Timing your meals may help with weight loss," 27 Mar. 2018
This is a university where students are researching ways to build batteries from glucose found in the body.

— tim prudente, baltimoresun.com, "'We don't even have a football team. Now we won?' Disbelief and pride as UMBC basketball upsets Virginia," 17 Mar. 2018
If the gut is so permeable, as in leaky gut syndrome, this has been associated with whole body inflammation, increased risk for metabolic syndrome, glucose intolerance, obesity, dementia and diabetes.

— NBC News, "Can fermented foods and drinks boost your health?," 22 Mar. 2018
Alertgy, a real-time blood-glucose monitoring and alert system that works through a smartphone application, won $36,000 during the New Orleans Health Innovators Challenge on Tuesday (March 20).

— maria clark, NOLA.com, "Diabetes is a top killer in Louisiana. This tech startup just won $36,000 for its idea to help.," 21 Mar. 2018
The higher the percentage, the higher a person’s blood glucose levels are.

— erik polan, do, Philly.com, "Q&A: What do I need to know about the new diabetes recommendations?," 13 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'glucose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of glucose

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1840

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GLUCOSE Defined for English Language Learners

glucose

noun

Definition of glucose for English Language Learners

: a type of sugar that is found in plants and fruits

GLUCOSE Defined for Kids

glucose

noun glu·cose \ ˈglü-ˌkōs \

Definition of glucose for Students

: a sugar in plant saps and fruits that is the usual form in which carbohydrate is taken in by the animal body and used as a source of energy

Medical Dictionary

glucose

noun glu·cose \ ˈglü-ˌkōs, -ˌkōz \

medical Definition of glucose

: 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