electronic cigarette

noun

variants or e-cigarette
ˈē-ˌsi-gə-ˈret How to pronounce electronic cigarette (audio)
-ˈsi-gə-ˌret
or less commonly e-cig
: a battery-operated device that is typically designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and is used to inhale a usually nicotine-containing vapor

Note: Electronic cigarettes contain a liquid solution typically consisting of nicotine, various chemical substances (such as propylene glycol or glycerol), and often flavoring. The solution is heated by the battery producing the aerosol or vapor inhaled by the user.

Examples of electronic cigarette in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Almost all have two things in hand: a cellphone and a disposable electronic cigarette, known in France as a puff. Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2023 An electronic cigarette failed while charging and ignited bedding in a Sykesville apartment complex where 19 residents were displaced by fire damage Monday evening, according to the state fire marshal’s office. Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2024 During the raid, police seized 80 milliliters of synthetic cannabis, 27 electronic cigarette devices and nearly $13,000 in cash allegedly earned from drug sales, the release said. Gawon Bae, CNN, 20 Sep. 2023 The 50 cents-per-pack increase was projected to raise about $150 million in tax revenue, while the House proposal of a 10% retail tax on electronic cigarette liquids was expected to raise about $5 million a year. Tom Davies, chicagotribune.com, 2 Apr. 2021 The result was Juul, an electronic cigarette startup meant to save lives that came under federal scrutiny for its own health risks. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 11 Oct. 2023 Alaska posted the nation’s highest rate of increase in electronic cigarette use by young adults from 2016 to 2021, according to a report tracking patterns in all the states. Yereth Rosen, Anchorage Daily News, 16 Apr. 2023 Attorneys general from six states and Washington, D.C., on Wednesday announced a $462 million settlement with electronic cigarette giant Juul that will hamper the company’s ability to market its products to children and lure them into a life of addiction. Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 Apr. 2023 Two lobbyists from Harris Jones & Malone — Caitlin McDonough and Lisa Jones — reported $70,000 and $34,000, respectively — from Juul Labs, the electronic cigarette company. Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 27 July 2023

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

First Known Use

2003, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of electronic cigarette was in 2003

Dictionary Entries Near electronic cigarette

Cite this Entry

“Electronic cigarette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electronic%20cigarette. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

electronic cigarette

noun
variants or e-cigarette also e-cig
: a battery-operated device that is typically designed to resemble a traditional cigarette and is used to inhale nicotine vapor
Another new product is the electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), a battery-powered device that aerosolizes nicotine for inhalation but does not burn tobacco.Nancy A. Rigotti, The Journal of the American Medical Association
see vape
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!