cannabis

noun

can·​na·​bis ˈka-nə-bəs How to pronounce cannabis (audio)
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

Examples of cannabis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The cannabis dispensary gives out complimentary matches for … obvious reasons. Charlotte Observer, 17 Oct. 2025 Tompkins, 67, is accused of using his official position to bully executives at a Boston cannabis company regarding his pre-initial public offering investment of $50,000. Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 16 Oct. 2025 Debate closes on light note with personal questions The final moments of Thursday’s mayoral debate took a lighter turn when candidates were asked about cannabis use. Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025 As of 2025, the state’s Natural Medicine Division has begun licensing psilocybin healing centers, which follows Colorado’s recreational legalization of cannabis for people 21 and over in 2014. John Wenzel, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cannabis

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cannabis was in 1783

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cannabis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cannabis. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

cannabis

noun
can·​na·​bis ˈkan-ə-bəs How to pronounce cannabis (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce cannabis (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on cannabis

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