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
This vegetable is very high in fiber, which helps slow digestion and glucose absorption.
—
Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 13 Apr. 2026
The Tests That Caught What Routine Panels Don’t Your typical annual physical includes a CBC and CMP covering blood cell counts, kidney and liver function, electrolytes and a glucose snapshot.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
As your body digests oats, those carbs are converted into glucose and released into your bloodstream, raising blood sugar levels.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 10 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, carbs—the body’s primary energy source—increase your blood sugar, or blood glucose, and, in turn, trigger the pancreas to secrete insulin (a hormone that tells the body’s cells to absorb glucose to prevent an overload).
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for glucose
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Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 13 Apr. 2026
The Tests That Caught What Routine Panels Don’t Your typical annual physical includes a CBC and CMP covering blood cell counts, kidney and liver function, electrolytes and a glucose snapshot.
—Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026
As your body digests oats, those carbs are converted into glucose and released into your bloodstream, raising blood sugar levels.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 10 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, carbs—the body’s primary energy source—increase your blood sugar, or blood glucose, and, in turn, trigger the pancreas to secrete insulin (a hormone that tells the body’s cells to absorb glucose to prevent an overload).
—Caroline Tien, SELF, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for glucose
Cite this Entry
“Glucose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glucose. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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