SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

trehalose

noun tre·ha·lose \ tri-ˈhä-ˌlōs , -ˌlōz \

Definition of trehalose

: a crystalline disaccharide C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ that is found in various organisms (such as fungi and insects), is about half as sweet as sucrose, and is sometimes used as a sweetener in commercially prepared foods

Recent Examples of trehalose from the Web

Check the label for ingredients like brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, sucrose, trehalose and/or turbinado sugar.

— rebecca drudi, baltimoresun.com, "10 tips from a dietitian," 10 Sep. 2017
Scientists previously believed that tardigrades survive desiccation by using a sugar called trehalose found in other creatures that can complete such a feat, including brine shrimp, yeast and tree frogs.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "How the Remarkable Tardigrade Springs Back to Life after Drying Out," 20 Mar. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of trehalose

International Scientific Vocabulary trehala, a sweet substance constituting the pupal covering of a beetle + ²-ose

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1862

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

trehalose

noun tre·ha·lose \ -ˈhäl-ˌōs, -ˌōz \

medical Definition of trehalose

: a crystalline disaccharide C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁ stored instead of starch by many fungi and found in the blood of many insects

Learn More about trehalose

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trehalose

Seen and Heard

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

show

WORD OF THE DAY

traduce

play

to lower or disgrace the reputation of

BROWSE DICTIONARY

tregetour

trehala

trehalose

treillage

Treitschke

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

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

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

alt-5ad8fc71357ed

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

No, it's not a coiffure trend

alt-5ad8d3361fb97

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

You're on the edge of your seat

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz

cats-on-impossible-timber

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz

Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game