fructose

noun

fruc·​tose ˈfrək-ˌtōs  ˈfrük-  ˈfru̇k- 

-ˌtōz

1

: a crystalline sugar C₆H₁₂O₆ sweeter and more soluble than glucose

2

: the very sweet levorotatory d-form of fructose that occurs especially in fruit juices and honey

called also fruit sugar, levulose

Examples of fructose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

By simply deactivating the two genes, the new varietal grew fruit with 30 percent more glucose and fructose than common mass-production tomatoes. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024

People with this condition may tolerate foods with balanced levels of glucose and fructose, as glucose enhances fructose absorption. —Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 1 Nov. 2024

Most gels use carbohydrates like maltodextrin to produce glucose and fructose. —Mallory Arnold, Outside Online, 11 Jan. 2023

Types Fructose intolerance can be classified into two main types: fructose malabsorption and hereditary fructose intolerance. —Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin frūctus fruit entry 1 + -ose entry 2

Note: The term was apparently introduced by the British chemist William Allen Miller (1817-70) in Elements of Chemistry: Theoretical and Practical, Part III, Organic Chemistry (London, 1857), p. 57.

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fructose

noun

fruc·​tose ˈfrək-ˌtōs  ˈfru̇k- 

: a very sweet sugar that dissolves easily and occurs especially in fruit juices and honey

Medical Definition

fructose

noun

fruc·​tose ˈfrək-ˌtōs  ˈfrük-  ˈfru̇k- 

-ˌtōz

1

: an optically active sugar C₆H₁₂O₆ that differs from glucose in having a ketonic rather than an aldehydic carbonyl group

2

: the very sweet soluble levorotatory D-form of fructose that occurs especially in fruit juices and honey

called also levulose