glucagon
noun
glu·ca·gon ˈglü-kə-ˌgän 
: a protein hormone that is produced especially by the islets of Langerhans and that promotes an increase in the sugar content of the blood by increasing the rate of glycogen breakdown in the liver
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Keeping your blood sugar levels normal requires the proper balance of glucagon and insulin secretion at the appropriate times. 
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 11 June 2021 Existing medicines target a hormone called the glucagon-like peptide-1 that is involved in the control of blood sugar. Matthew Herper, STAT, 14 May 2022 The drug works by mimicking the glucagon-like peptide 1, a hormone the body releases after eating. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 4 Mar. 2022 These cells can further develop into beta cells, which produce insulin and lower blood sugar, and alpha cells, which make glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar. San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2021 At the same time, the β-cells may have been producing glucagon and another protein called trypsin-1. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 11 June 2021 On Friday, June 4th, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy (semaglutide), a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, to be injected subcutaneously once-weekly. Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 5 June 2021 Semaglutide, to be sold under the brand name Wegovy by maker Novo Nordisk, affects a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 and increases the production of insulin. Maggie Fox, CNN, 5 June 2021 His discharge medication list ran more than two pages: Insulin, dextrose and glucagon to help balance his blood sugar. USA Today, 14 Mar. 2021 See More
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 11 June 2021 Existing medicines target a hormone called the glucagon-like peptide-1 that is involved in the control of blood sugar. Matthew Herper, STAT, 14 May 2022 The drug works by mimicking the glucagon-like peptide 1, a hormone the body releases after eating. Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 4 Mar. 2022 These cells can further develop into beta cells, which produce insulin and lower blood sugar, and alpha cells, which make glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar. San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2021 At the same time, the β-cells may have been producing glucagon and another protein called trypsin-1. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 11 June 2021 On Friday, June 4th, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy (semaglutide), a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, to be injected subcutaneously once-weekly. Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 5 June 2021 Semaglutide, to be sold under the brand name Wegovy by maker Novo Nordisk, affects a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 and increases the production of insulin. Maggie Fox, CNN, 5 June 2021 His discharge medication list ran more than two pages: Insulin, dextrose and glucagon to help balance his blood sugar. USA Today, 14 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
gluc- + -agon (perhaps from Greek agōn, present participle of agein to lead, drive) — more at agent
First Known Use
1923, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
glucagon
noun
glu·ca·gon ˈglü-kə-ˌgän
: a protein hormone that is produced especially by the pancreatic islets of Langerhans and that promotes an increase in the sugar content of the blood by increasing the rate of breakdown of glycogen in the liver
called also hyperglycemic factor, hyperglycemic-glycogenolytic factor