glyceraldehyde

noun

glyc·​er·​al·​de·​hyde ˌgli-sə-ˈral-də-ˌhīd How to pronounce glyceraldehyde (audio)
: a sweet crystalline compound C3H6O3 that is formed as an intermediate in carbohydrate metabolism by the breakdown of sugars and that yields glycerol on reduction

Word History

Etymology

glyceric acid + aldehyde

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of glyceraldehyde was in 1882

Rhymes for glyceraldehyde

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Browse Nearby Words

Glycera
glyceraldehyde
glycerate
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Cite this Entry

“Glyceraldehyde.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glyceraldehyde. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

glyceraldehyde

noun
glyc·​er·​al·​de·​hyde ˌglis-ə-ˈral-də-ˌhīd How to pronounce glyceraldehyde (audio)
: a sweet crystalline compound C3H6O3 that is formed as an intermediate in carbohydrate metabolism by the breakdown of sugars and that yields glycerol on reduction

More from Merriam-Webster on glyceraldehyde

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about glyceraldehyde

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