cannabis

noun

can·​na·​bis ˈka-nə-bəs 

1

: a tall Asian herb (Cannabis sativa of the family Cannabaceae, the hemp family) that has a tough fiber and is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica) : hemp sense 1a

—used especially for cultivated varieties having high levels of THC

2

a

: the psychoactive dried flower buds, leaves, or preparations (such as hashish) or chemicals (such as THC) that are derived from the cannabis plant

especially : marijuana

b

: cannabinoid

Examples of cannabis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One theory is that heavy, long-term cannabis use overstimulates the body's cannabinoid system, triggering the opposite of marijuana's usual anti-nausea effect. —Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 29 Nov. 2025

Since federal legislation effectively legalized products infused with certain cannabis derivatives in 2018, the retail hemp market has grown into a $28 billion industry, CNBC reported. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 26 Nov. 2025

There, a coalition of dispensaries recently sued Sacred Leaf and other Kansas City-area gray-market shops, claiming the retailers are skirting Missouri’s cannabis laws and undermining the regulated market. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 26 Nov. 2025

As cannabis products became legalized across the US in the mid-2010s, the industry started using the term in marketing to encourage friends to head to local dispensaries to get their fix, Sinali said. —Scottie Andrew, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, hemp, from Greek kannabis; akin to Old English hænep hemp

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cannabis

• medical cannabis

Kids Definition

cannabis

noun

can·​na·​bis ˈkan-ə-bəs 

: hemp sense 1

also : a preparation (as marijuana) made from hemp and affecting the mind

Medical Definition

cannabis

noun

can·​na·​bis ˈkan-ə-bəs 

1

: a tall Asian herb (Cannabis sativa of the family Cannabaceae, the hemp family) that has a tough fiber and is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica) : hemp sense 1

—used especially for cultivated varieties having high levels of THC

2

: the psychoactive dried flower buds, leaves, or preparations (as hashish) or chemicals (as THC) that are derived from the cannabis plant

especially : marijuana