glucose

noun

glu·​cose ˈglü-ˌkōs 

-ˌkōz

1

: a crystalline sugar C₆H₁₂O₆

specifically : the sweet colorless soluble dextrorotatory form that occurs widely in nature and is the usual form in which carbohydrate is assimilated by animals

2

: a light-colored syrup made from cornstarch

Examples of glucose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For some people with prediabetes, early treatment as well as moderate lifestyle changes can return blood glucose (blood sugar) levels to a normal range, effectively preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025

Patients are assigned a care provider through Brook Health that works alongside an AI care bot to monitor data from the remote devices, including patient monitoring systems which track metrics like blood pressure, glucose, oxygen saturation, weight and sleep. —Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

Normally, insulin from the pancreas helps move that glucose into your cells for energy. —Amy Isler, Verywell Health, 9 Sep. 2025

Insulin is necessary to escort glucose into the cells, and without insulin, glucose remains in the blood. —Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, modification of Greek gleukos must, sweet wine; akin to Greek glykys sweet — more at dulcet

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing glucose

• glucose phosphate
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Rhymes for glucose

• arkose
• engross
• faroese
• fructose
• fucose
• gatos
• jocose
• morose
• vadose
• adios
• adipose
• amylose

Kids Definition

glucose

noun

glu·​cose ˈglü-ˌkōs 

: a sugar that occurs especially in a naturally occurring form that is found in plants, fruits, and blood and is a source of energy for living things

Medical Definition

glucose

noun

glu·​cose ˈglü-ˌkōs, -ˌkōz 

: an optically active sugar C₆H₁₂O₆ that has an aldehydic carbonyl group

especially : the sweet colorless soluble dextrorotatory form that occurs widely in nature and is the usual form in which carbohydrate is assimilated by animals