glucagon

[ gloo-kuh-gon ]
/ ˈglu kəˌgɒn /

noun Biochemistry.

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

Origin of glucagon

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

Words nearby glucagon

gloxinia, gloze, Glu, Glubb, gluc-, glucagon, glucagonoma, glucan, glucaric acid, glucide, glucinum
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Example sentences from the Web for glucagon

British Dictionary definitions for glucagon

glucagon
/ (ˈɡluːkəˌɡɒn, -ɡən) /

noun

a polypeptide hormone, produced in the pancreas by the islets of Langerhans, that stimulates the release of glucose into the bloodCompare insulin

Word Origin for glucagon

C20: from gluc (ose) + -agon, perhaps from Greek agein to lead
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for glucagon

glucagon
[ glōō′kə-gŏn′ ]

n.

A polypeptide hormone secreted by alpha cells that initiates a rise in blood sugar levels by stimulating the breakdown of glycogen by the liver.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for glucagon

glucagon
[ glōō′kə-gŏn′ ]

A polypeptide hormone produced by the pancreas that stimulates an increase in blood glucose levels, thus opposing the action of insulin.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.