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

Participants in the study were given meals containing the same amount and type of carbohydrates, and researchers measured their blood glucose after eating. — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

New Atlas recently covered an experimental smart ring developed at UC San Diego that goes beyond optical sensing entirely, analysing sweat for biomarkers including glucose and ketones. — New Atlas, 2 Oct. 2026

Nor were there records that tracked when, or if, Christian took his insulin and the readings from his glucose monitors. — Joseph Shapiro, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Carbs are broken down into glucose molecules when digested and ultimately have the greatest impact on your blood sugar compared to other macronutrients like protein and fat. — Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 28 Sep. 2026

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-dependent insulinotropic peptide
• glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide
• glucose phosphate
• glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase

Rhymes for glucose

• arkose
• engross
• faroese
• fructose
• fucose
• gatos
• jocose
• morose
• plateaus
• spinose
• vadose
• adios

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