# glycogen

/ˈɡɫaɪkədʒɪn/ (US) · /ɡlˈaɪkədʒən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/glycogen
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a type of sugar that your body stores for energy. It is mostly found in your liver and muscles and is used when you need a quick burst of power.

For teachers: a branched polysaccharide of glucose that serves as a form of energy storage in animals and fungi. It is primarily stored in the liver and skeletal muscle cells.

## Examples

- Your body converts glucose into glycogen for later use.
- After a long run, your muscle glycogen stores are depleted, so you need to eat carbohydrates to replenish them.
- The liver acts as a primary reservoir for glycogen, releasing glucose into the bloodstream during periods of fasting to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.