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 year, there will be educational elements too, people teaching about Rastafari, cannabis as medicine, and more. —Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025

Advertisement One policy area that may be a priority under Anutin, says Napon Jatusripitak, a visiting fellow and acting coordinator of the Thailand Studies Programme at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore, is cannabis regulation. —Chad De Guzman, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

But in the cannabis industry, the paper that holds it together is also a business statement. —Sara Payan, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025

The second study, published in Psychological Medicine, dug into the link between childhood trauma, paranoia and cannabis use. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 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