glucose

noun glu·cose \ˈglü-ˌkōs, -ˌkōz\

: a type of sugar that is found in plants and fruits

Full Definition of GLUCOSE

: 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

: a light-colored syrup made from cornstarch

See glucose defined for English-language learners

See glucose defined for kids

Origin of GLUCOSE

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

First Known Use: 1840

Other Biochemistry Terms

bile, biodegradable, capsaicin, keratin, metabolism

Rhymes with GLUCOSE

arkose, Carlos, cosmos, crustose, cymose, dextrose, engross, erose, fructose, globose, jocose, lactose, maltose, mannose, morose, mythos, nodose, pappose, pentose, pilose, plumose, ramose, rhamnose, ribose, rugose, schistose, setose, spinose, strigose, sucrose, Sukkoth, triose, up close, vadose, verbose, viscose

GLUCOSE Defined for Kids

glucose

noun glu·cose \ˈglü-ˌkōs\

Definition of GLUCOSE for Kids

: a sugar in plant saps and fruits that is the usual form in which carbohydrate is taken in by the animal body and used as a source of energy

Medical Dictionary

glucose

noun glu·cose \ˈglü-ˌkōs, -ˌkōz\

Medical Definition of GLUCOSE

: 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