: any of a genus (Nicotiana) of chiefly American plants of the nightshade family with viscid foliage and tubular flowers
especially: a tall erect annual tropical American herb (N. tabacum) cultivated for its leaves
2
: the leaves of cultivated tobacco prepared for use in smoking or chewing or as snuff
3
: manufactured products of tobacco (such as cigars or cigarettes)
also: smoking as a practice
has sworn off tobacco
4
: a moderate brown
Illustration of tobacco
tobacco 1
Examples of tobacco in a Sentence
a farm that grows tobacco
a state tax on tobacco
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At the same time, everyone's GI system won't respond to good or bad bacteria the same way and individual stressors and exposure to environmental toxins like tobacco smoke and air pollution can also play significant roles in overall gut health.—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 24 June 2025 Most tobacco products other than cigarettes, including cigars and chewing tobacco, will also be taxed at 45% of the wholesale price, up from a 36% levy that’s been in place for more than a decade.—Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025 Spain relinquished its governance rights over an array of businesses in telecoms, banking, and tobacco.—Cecilia Hult, Fortune, 20 June 2025 The results are both dangerous and absurd: Germany sued for regulating coal pollution; Australia targeted for tobacco controls; Central American countries penalized for protecting their water.—Nathalie Kelley, Time, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tobacco
Word History
Etymology
Spanish tabaco, probably from Taino, roll of tobacco leaves
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