electronic cigarette

noun

variants or e-cigarette

ˈē-ˌsi-gə-ˈret 

-ˈsi-gə-ˌret

or less commonly e-cig

ˈē-ˌsig 

: a battery-operated device that is typically designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and is used to inhale a usually nicotine-containing vapor

Note: Electronic cigarettes contain a liquid solution typically consisting of nicotine, various chemical substances (such as propylene glycol or glycerol), and often flavoring. The solution is heated by the battery producing the aerosol or vapor inhaled by the user.

Examples of electronic cigarette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The resulting paper, which appeared in 2022 in the open-access journal Neurology International by the publisher MDPI, concluded that electronic cigarette users had higher risk and earlier onset of stroke than tobacco smokers. —Byfrederik Joelving, science.org, 3 May 2024

Almost all have two things in hand: a cellphone and a disposable electronic cigarette, known in France as a puff. —Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

2003, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

electronic cigarette

noun

: a battery-operated device that resembles a cigarette and is used to inhale a vapor that usually contains nicotine

Medical Definition

electronic cigarette

noun

variants or e-cigarette

ˈē-ˈsi-gə-ˌret 

also e-cig

ˈē-ˌsig 

: a battery-operated device that is typically designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and is used to inhale nicotine vapor

Another new product is the electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), a battery-powered device that aerosolizes nicotine for inhalation but does not burn tobacco.

—Nancy A. Rigotti, The Journal of the American Medical Association

see vape