dextran

UK:*UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈdɛkstrən/US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(dek′strən)


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
dex•tran  (dek′strən),USA pronunciation n. [Chem., Pharm.]
  1. Chemistry, Drugsa viscous polysaccharide, composed of dextrose, produced by bacterial action on sucrose: used in confections and lacquers and in medicine chiefly as an extender for blood plasma.
  • dextr(ose) + -an(hydride) 1875–80

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
dextran / ˈdɛkstrən/
  1. a polysaccharide produced by the action of bacteria on sucrose: used as a substitute for plasma in blood transfusions
Etymology: 19th Century: from dextro- + -an
'dextran' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
blood substitute - dextranase

Forum discussions with the word(s) "dextran" in the title:


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