nicotine

noun

nic·​o·​tine ˈni-kə-ˌtēn 

: a poisonous alkaloid C₁₀H₁₄N₂ that is the chief active principle of tobacco and is used as an insecticide

Examples of nicotine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mouth and Gum Disease, High Blood Pressure, Reflux Folkenroth says nicotine pouches, specifically, have been linked to many health risks. —Erica Sweeney, EverydayHealth.com, 11 Mar. 2026

In total, 17 participants who took psilocybin had stayed off cigarettes at the half-year mark; only four in the nicotine group had achieved that. —Will Stone, NPR, 10 Mar. 2026

Avoid alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, large meals, and screen time a couple of hours before bedtime. —Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 9 Mar. 2026

For instance, rodents given GLP-1 drugs drink less alcohol, self-administer less cocaine and show less interest in nicotine. —Ziyad Al-Aly, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from New Latin nicotiana

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nicotine

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Kids Definition

nicotine

noun

nic·​o·​tine ˈnik-ə-ˌtēn 

: a poisonous substance found in tobacco and used as an insecticide

Medical Definition

nicotine

noun

nic·​o·​tine ˈnik-ə-ˌtēn 

: a poisonous alkaloid C₁₀H₁₄N₂ that is the chief active principle of tobacco and that is used as an insecticide and is sometimes used in smoking cessation aids

Note: Trademarks for nicotine include Nicoderm, Nicorette, and Nicotrol.