cigarette

noun

cig·​a·​rette ˌsi-gə-ˈret How to pronounce cigarette (audio)
ˈsi-gə-ˌret
variants or less commonly cigaret
: a slender roll of cut tobacco enclosed in paper and meant to be smoked
also : a similar roll of another substance (such as marijuana)

Examples of cigarette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Several advocacy groups with ties to Reynolds American, which makes Newport cigarettes, were in attendance too. Nicholas Florko, STAT, 29 Nov. 2023 Research shows that the effects of banning menthol cigarettes would be swift. Claretta Bellamy, NBC News, 25 Nov. 2023 The law, which began as a bill intended to protect cigarette smokers from being fired for tobacco use, ended up providing broader protection. Joseph Goldstein, New York Times, 24 Nov. 2023 And Patrick Nicholas was seen throwing the cigarette butt on the ground that was collected by our detectives. Natalie Morales, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2023 Also, dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and other flammable items in appropriate containers. A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023 At one point Richards’ and saxophonist Bobby Keys’ cigarette embers started a fire in a bathroom—a crisis that was averted thanks to large buckets of water. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 17 Nov. 2023 There was the tattooed 24-year-old smoking a cigarette who has worked for eight years as a bricklayer but has struggled to save up for a house or a car of his own — and keep up with the soaring inflation. David Feliba, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2023 In one of her most famous quotes, Mitchell takes a long drag on a cigarette and expresses her indifference to being liked. Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 12 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cigarette.' 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

French cigarette, diminutive of cigare cigar, from Spanish cigarro

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cigarette was in 1832

Dictionary Entries Near cigarette

Cite this Entry

“Cigarette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cigarette. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

cigarette

noun
cig·​a·​rette ˌsig-ə-ˈret How to pronounce cigarette (audio)
ˈsig-ə-ˌret
: a small roll of cut tobacco wrapped in paper for smoking
Etymology

from French cigarette, literally, "little cigar"

More from Merriam-Webster on cigarette

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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