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 So, what would the rescheduling of cannabis mean for the average American? Andrea Kane, CNN, 30 Sep. 2024 The cannabis companies suing over the emergency regulations allege in the lawsuit that the agency violated state and federal laws, including those that legalized the production of hemp and govern the rulemaking process. Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024 One study concluded about 20% of patients with rheumatoid diseases who actively consume cannabis report an improvement in pain. Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2024 The array of Americans who are organizing unions extends to the tech, digital media and cannabis industries. Robert Forrant, The Conversation, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for cannabis 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cannabis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near cannabis

Cite this Entry

“Cannabis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cannabis. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

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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