glucagon

American  

[gloo-kuh-gon] / ˈglu kəˌgɒn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a hormone secreted by the pancreas that acts in opposition to insulin in the regulation of blood glucose levels.

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glucagon British  

/ -ɡən, ˈɡluːkəˌɡɒn /

noun

1. a polypeptide hormone, produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans, that stimulates the release of glucose into the blood Compare insulin

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glucagon Scientific  

/ glo̅o̅′kə-gŏn′ /

1. A polypeptide hormone produced by the pancreas that stimulates an increase in blood glucose levels, thus opposing the action of insulin.

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Etymology

Origin of glucagon

1923; probably gluc- + Greek ágōn present participle of ágein to lead, drive; -agogue

Example Sentences

Lilly is also developing a highly efficacious injection called retatrutide that targets GIP and GLP-1 — both of which are activated by tirzepatide — in addition to glucagon.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

It combines a GLP-1—the same class of drugs as Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster Wegovy and Ozempic—with GIP to reduce appetite and blood sugar, and glucagon to prevent low blood-sugar levels.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

UBT251 is what’s known as a triple G weight-loss agonist—meaning it combines the hormones GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

Laila Soueif was hospitalised last Thursday and given glucagon, a hormone used to treat severe hypoglycaemia.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2025

The pancreas had more cells to produce insulin, which tells the body to lower blood sugar, as well as more cells to produce glucagon, the other major sugar-regulating hormone.

From Science Daily • Jan. 9, 2024