Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

glycolysis

noun gly·col·y·sis \ glī-ˈkä-lə-səs \

Definition of glycolysis

: the enzymatic breakdown of a carbohydrate (such as glucose) by way of phosphate derivatives with the production of pyruvic or lactic acid and energy stored in high-energy phosphate bonds of ATP
—

glycolytic

play \ˌglī-kə-ˈli-tik\ adjective

Recent Examples of glycolysis from the Web

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

Origin and Etymology of glycolysis

New Latin

Medical Dictionary

glycolysis

noun gly·col·y·sis \ glī-ˈkäl-ə-səs \

medical Definition of glycolysis

plural glycolyses play \-ˌsēz\
: the enzymatic breakdown of a carbohydrate (as glucose or glycogen) by way of phosphate derivatives with the production of pyruvic or lactic acid and energy stored in high-energy phosphate bonds of ATP — called also Embden-Meyerhof pathway
—

glycolytic

play \ˌglī-kə-ˈlit-ik\ adjective
—

glycolytically

play \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

Learn More about glycolysis

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glycolysis

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up glycolysis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

cerulean

play

resembling the blue of the sky

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

glycolysis

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games