ENGLISH
REFERENCE

glucose

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɡɫuˌkoʊs// UK //ɡlˈuːkəʊs// glu·cose

n. a simple type of sugar that gives your body and brain energy. It is found in many foods and travels through your blood to reach your cells.

n. a simple sugar that acts as an essential energy source in living organisms and is a component of many carbohydrates. It is a monosaccharide and a primary metabolic intermediate in cellular respiration.


SIMPLE

The body converts carbohydrates into glucose for energy.

CONTEXTUAL

Athletes often consume drinks high in glucose to maintain their energy levels during long races.

COMPLEX

Maintaining stable glucose levels in the bloodstream is critical for cognitive function, as the brain relies almost exclusively on this sugar for its metabolic requirements.

Origin

From French, from Ancient Greek γλεῦκος (gleûkos, “wine, must”). By surface analysis, gluco- + -ose; note that -ose is derived from the word glucose.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the chemical substance; can be countable in medical contexts when referring to specific test results or types.

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