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

However, more glucose doesn’t always equate to more energy, and not all foods are created equal. — Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2026

Fasting one day and eating regularly the next11 Your body usually gets energy from glucose, or sugar, in your food. — Lindsay Curtis, HEALTH, 25 Sep. 2026

Expect wearables and continuous glucose monitors to start nudging users to move within the 15-to-30-minute window after eating, replacing generic daily step prompts. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Sep. 2026

Because there is currently no evidence that continuous glucose monitoring benefits people without diabetes, Lipska does not recommend its routine use in this population. — Crystal Gwizdala, Hartford Courant, 24 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