glycolysis

American  

[glahy-kol-uh-sis] / glaɪˈkɒl ə sɪs /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. the catabolism of carbohydrates, as glucose and glycogen, by enzymes, with the release of energy and the production of lactic or pyruvic acid.

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glycolysis British  

/ ɡlaɪˈkɒlɪsɪs /

noun

1. biochem the breakdown of glucose by enzymes into pyruvic and lactic acids with the liberation of energy

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glycolysis Scientific  

/ glī-kŏl′ə-sĭs /

1. The process in cell metabolism by which carbohydrates and sugars, especially glucose, are broken down, producing ATP and pyruvic acid.

2. See more at cellular respiration

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Etymology

Origin of glycolysis

First recorded in 1890–95; glyco- + -lysis

Compare meaning

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

• glycolysis vs. Krebs cycle

Explanation

Glycolysis is a series of chemical reactions that happen inside a cell. During glycolysis, a molecule of glucose is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate. In certain cells, energy is obtained from glucose through glycolysis, which breaks the sugar into two pieces that can be used for cellular respiration. Almost every living organism has cells that undergo glycolysis, even the ones that don't use oxygen. Scientists' understanding of this process started with the 19th-century wine industry's quest to learn why some wines ferment into alcohol and others turn bitter. The word glycolysis was coined in 1891, from glyco-, "sugar," and -lysis, "dissolving."

Example Sentences

Cancer cells are known to alter their metabolism, relying heavily on aerobic glycolysis to rapidly generate energy.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

Their results showed that polyamines primarily boost glycolysis, the process that quickly converts glucose into energy, rather than enhancing mitochondrial respiration, which is more closely tied to healthy aging.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

"This is an odd adaptation but allows them to perform anaerobic glycolysis," Hadj-Moussa explained.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2025

Diplomonads exist in anaerobic environments and use alternative pathways, such as glycolysis, to generate energy.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

But even bacteria do anaerobic glycolysis, which is why apples rot: lunchtime for the microbes.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan