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

Hemp is a type of cannabis plant with low levels of the psychoactive compound that gets people high, known as delta-9 THC. —Alison Dirr, jsonline.com, 7 July 2025

The open schedule likely leaves room for each branch to keep churning through House or Senate-specific priorities, like a bill reforming cannabis oversight the House passed early last month or a reproductive and transgender health proposal the Senate approved weeks ago. —Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 6 July 2025

The cap on registrations does not apply to a medical cannabis combination business or a lower-potency hemp edible retailer. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 3 July 2025

Lawmakers punted a more robust debate about cannabis to later this year, meaning cities won’t get their money any time soon. —Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 3 July 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