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

Those with the condition have to monitor their glucose levels and manually take insulin every day, making backcountry travel out of service more challenging. —Madison Dapcevich, Outside, 28 Mar. 2026

Insulin, which helps balance your blood sugar (or blood glucose), is another hormone affected by declining estrogen. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026

It is estimated that, based on measures of blood glucose, lipids, and other parameters, less than 12% of the adult American population can even be said to metabolically healthy. —Christopher Duggan, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026

Tirzepatide, on the other hand, targets both GLP-1 and a second hormone called GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). —Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 26 Mar. 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