glycosaminoglycan

noun

gly·​cos·​ami·​no·​gly·​can ˌglī-kō-sə-ˌmē-nō-ˈglī-ˌkan How to pronounce glycosaminoglycan (audio) -kō-ˌsa-mə-nō- How to pronounce glycosaminoglycan (audio)
: any of various polysaccharides derived from an amino hexose that are constituents of mucoproteins, glycoproteins, and blood-group substances

called also mucopolysaccharide

Word History

Etymology

glyc- + hexosamine (amine derived from a hexose) + -o- + glycan

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glycosaminoglycan was in 1962

Dictionary Entries Near glycosaminoglycan

glycoprotein

glycosaminoglycan

glycose

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Glycosaminoglycan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glycosaminoglycan. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

glycosaminoglycan

noun
gly·​cos·​ami·​no·​gly·​can ˌglī-kō-sə-ˌmē-nō-ˈglī-ˌkan How to pronounce glycosaminoglycan (audio) -kō-ˌsam-ə-nō- How to pronounce glycosaminoglycan (audio)
: any of various polysaccharides derived from an amino hexose that are constituents of mucoproteins, glycoproteins, and blood-group substances

called also mucopolysaccharide

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

Listen to the pronunciation of shenanigans

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
True or False

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

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games