glycoside
noun
gly·co·side
ˈglī-kə-ˌsīd 
: any of numerous sugar derivatives that contain a nonsugar group bonded to an oxygen or nitrogen atom and that on hydrolysis yield a sugar (such as glucose)
Examples of glycoside in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This is a type of triterpenoid glycoside that can be extracted from monk fruit and other sweet fruits.
—
Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 15 May 2025
Natural Compounds as Potential Drugs Many modern drugs originate from medicinal herbs, which contain active compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, polyphenols, and terpenes.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
Herbs and Supplements That Contain Cardiac Glycosides Cardiac glycoside herbs and supplements are used to treat heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation or heart failure.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 6 Jan. 2025
Similar to digoxin, taking high doses of apple cider vinegar with cardiac glycosides can lead to dangerous side effects (digitalis toxicity) related to low potassium levels.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 6 Jan. 2025
While cooked lima beans are safe to eat, raw lima beans contain toxic compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which break down into hydrogen cyanide, a compound that’s toxic to humans.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2024
In some studies, steviol glycosides have been shown to exhibit blood sugar-lowering effects.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024
Desert rose contains cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irregular heart rate and cardiac arrest if ingested.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 5 June 2024
Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed plants, where caterpillars devour leaves containing poisonous cardiac glycosides compounds.
—Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2024
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Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 15 May 2025
Natural Compounds as Potential Drugs Many modern drugs originate from medicinal herbs, which contain active compounds like alkaloids, glycosides, polyphenols, and terpenes.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 12 Mar. 2025
Herbs and Supplements That Contain Cardiac Glycosides Cardiac glycoside herbs and supplements are used to treat heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation or heart failure.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 6 Jan. 2025
Similar to digoxin, taking high doses of apple cider vinegar with cardiac glycosides can lead to dangerous side effects (digitalis toxicity) related to low potassium levels.
—Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 6 Jan. 2025
While cooked lima beans are safe to eat, raw lima beans contain toxic compounds called cyanogenic glycosides, which break down into hydrogen cyanide, a compound that’s toxic to humans.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 2 Sep. 2024
In some studies, steviol glycosides have been shown to exhibit blood sugar-lowering effects.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024
Desert rose contains cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irregular heart rate and cardiac arrest if ingested.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 5 June 2024
Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed plants, where caterpillars devour leaves containing poisonous cardiac glycosides compounds.
—Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“Glycoside.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glycoside. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
glycoside
noun
gly·co·side
ˈglī-kə-ˌsīd
: any of numerous sugar derivatives that contain a nonsugar group attached through an oxygen or nitrogen bond and that on hydrolysis yield a sugar (as glucose)
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