glucagon

noun

glu·​ca·​gon ˈglü-kə-ˌgän 

: a protein hormone that is produced especially by the islets of Langerhans and that promotes an increase in the sugar content of the blood by increasing the rate of glycogen breakdown in the liver

Examples of glucagon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meaning, the medication mimics a protein in your body called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). —Korin Miller, SELF, 23 Dec. 2025

Where earlier obesity drugs work primarily through appetite suppression, glucagon seems to also boost metabolism by revving up the liver. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025

Semaglutide — marketed by Novo Nordisk under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy — is a type of GLP-1 medication (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) that works in the brain to impact satiety. —Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025

Receptor Agonists Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin release and inhibiting the release of glucagon. —Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

gluc- + -agon (perhaps from Greek agōn, present participle of agein to lead, drive) — more at agent

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for glucagon

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• chitosan
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon

Medical Definition

glucagon

noun

glu·​ca·​gon ˈglü-kə-ˌgän 

: a protein hormone that is produced especially by the pancreatic islets of Langerhans and that promotes an increase in the sugar content of the blood by increasing the rate of breakdown of glycogen in the liver

called also hyperglycemic factor, hyperglycemic-glycogenolytic factor