glucose

noun

glu·​cose ˈglü-ˌkōs How to pronounce glucose (audio)
-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 The brain consumes energy in the form of glucose, which can run low. Matthew Robison, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024 Well over one-third of adults in the United States are walking around with insulin resistance, a condition in which the body does not respond effectively to insulin and is unable to properly use glucose from the blood for energy. Knvul Sheikh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2024 Pak said the company is looking into features such as contactless payment, glucose monitoring and blood pressure sensing through wearable devices, CNBC reported. Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024 CGMs measure glucose between cells in the body, displaying glucose levels on a small device or a phone app. Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 23 Feb. 2024 In other words, excess body fat interferes with insulin doing its job of escorting blood sugar (glucose) into the cells. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 22 Feb. 2024 Researchers also measured participants’ blood pressure, blood lipid values, and glucose tolerance. Sherri Gordon, Health, 9 Feb. 2024 The 6-foot-5, 256-pound athlete checks his blood glucose about 30 times each game to keep functional, and uses an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor to manage his condition off the field. Jordyn Bradley, Fortune Well, 2 Feb. 2024 To know exactly how varying factors impact you, Dr. Comite recommends using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to learn your fasting glucose and unique response to activities, food, stress, and more. Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'glucose.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of glucose was in 1840

Dictionary Entries Near glucose

Cite this Entry

“Glucose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glucose. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

glucose

noun
glu·​cose ˈglü-ˌkōs How to pronounce glucose (audio)
: 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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on glucose

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