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

This study is in line with others that have analyzed the use of far-red light when growing cannabis. —Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025

Emmanuel-Thomas denied his involvement in importing class B drugs at a hearing at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court in September but changed his plea to guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to fraudulent evasion of the prohibition on the importation of cannabis, between July 1 2024 and September 2, 2024. —Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 21 May 2025

Although cannabis has been decriminalized in Thailand, where Shaw allegedly ordered the candies from, since 2024, Indonesia has some of the world’s strictest drug laws, according to the AP. —Sean Neumann, People.com, 16 May 2025

Not just with Xzibit, who has since ventured into the cannabis industry, acted in dozens of films and gone through divorce — but to the music industry as a whole. —Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 15 May 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