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

This policy only affects those who do not now and have never been able to buy nicotine products. —Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 8 Jan. 2026

The permits suspensions bar the market from conducting lottery sales and from selling over-the-counter medications and vape or nicotine products. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Jan. 2026

About 82% of 10th graders and 66% of 12th graders reported not using cannabis, alcohol or nicotine in the previous 30 days — the highest levels in the survey’s 50-plus-year history. —Jason Mastrodonato, Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2026

Medical research has shown that common side effects of GLP-1s are dampened cravings for alcohol, nicotine and opioids. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 30 Dec. 2025

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.