glycogen

American  

[glahy-kuh-juhn, -jen] / ˈglaɪ kə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a white, tasteless polysaccharide, (C 6 H 10 O5 ) n , molecularly similar to starch, constituting the principal carbohydrate storage material in animals and occurring chiefly in the liver, in muscle, and in fungi and yeasts.

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glycogen British  

/ -dʒɛn, ˈɡlaɪkəʊdʒən, ˌɡlaɪkəʊˈdʒɛnɪk /

noun

1. Also called: animal starch.  a polysaccharide consisting of glucose units: the form in which carbohydrate is stored in the liver and muscles in man and animals. It can easily be hydrolysed to glucose

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glycogen Scientific  

/ glī′kə-jən /

1. A polysaccharide stored in animal liver and muscle cells that is easily converted to glucose to meet metabolic energy requirements. Most of the carbohydrate energy stored in animal cells is in the form of glycogen.

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Other Word Forms

• glycogenic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of glycogen

First recorded in 1855–60; glyco- + -gen

Compare meaning

How does glycogen compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• glycogen vs. glucose
• cellulose vs. glycogen

Example Sentences

Simply put, we know more than ever how to 'beat the wall' and to keep glycogen levels topped up throughout 26.2miles.

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Among the 23 ALS/FTD patients studied, 70% had elevated levels of this harmful glycogen.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

Unlike carbohydrates, which are stored in muscle and liver as glycogen, and fats, which are stored in adipose tissue, we have nowhere to store excess protein/amino acids.

From Salon • Sep. 18, 2024

Its energy storage includes fat, blood glucose, and glycogen, a form of glucose your body stores in your liver and muscles.

From Slate • Sep. 9, 2023

It stores sugar in the form of glycogen and releases it as glucose in carefully measured quantities to keep the blood sugar at a normal level.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson

Related Words

• cellulose
• glucose
• lactose
• starch
• sugar