Definition of "galactose" [ga•lac•tose]

• A monosaccharide, C6H12O6, commonly occurring in lactose and in certain pectins, gums, and mucilages. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The galactose and glucose then enter the bloodstream where the galactose is converted in more glucose, the basic power source of the body."
• "But, for sugars such as galactose, which is commonly found in dairy produce, around 10 per cent is found in a different ring form called a 'furanose'."
• "Fermentation converts lactose into glucose and galactose, which is easily digestible by even the lactose - intolerant."