hemp

noun

ˈhemp 

1

a

: a tall widely cultivated Asian herb (Cannabis sativa of the family Cannabaceae, the hemp family) that is cultivated for its tough bast fiber and edible seeds and oil and that is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica)

Note: Cultivated hemp is often distinguished from cannabis by possessing very low levels of the psychoactive substance THC.

b

: the fiber of hemp

… hemp can produce superb paper and construction materials lighter and stronger than lumber.

—Ted Williams

—often used before another noun

hemp rope

a hemp shirt

c

: marijuana

also : hashish

2

: a fiber (such as jute) from a plant other than the true hemp

also : a plant yielding such fiber

Examples of hemp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Stanleys have patents for the Charlotte’s Web strain of hemp that AJA001 is made with, and Ajna has filed patents, which are pending, for its pharmaceutical drug. —Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

In 2019, Texas legalized the sale and consumption of hemp, which contains a maximum of 0.3 percent THS, bringing the state in line with a federal law passed in 2018. —James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025

Hanson took issue with the way Patrick characterized the hemp industry in his press conference after the veto. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025

After drying these forms for weeks, the designers painted them with a thin layer of lime wash that leaves the texture of the hemp still visible. —Curbed Editors, Curbed, 5 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hænep; akin to Old High German hanaf hemp, Greek kannabis

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hemp

• bowstring hemp
• hemp nettle
• Indian hemp
• Manila hemp
• sann hemp
• sunn hemp

Rhymes for hemp

• kemp
• temp

Kids Definition

hemp

noun

ˈhemp 

1

: a tall Asian herb widely grown for its tough woody fiber that is used to make rope and for its flowers and leaves from which are obtained various drugs (as hashish and marijuana) that affect the mind or behavior

2

: the fiber of hemp

Medical Definition

hemp

noun

ˈhemp 

1

: a tall widely cultivated Asian herb of the genus Cannabis (C. sativa) that is cultivated for its strong woody fiber and edible seeds and oil and that is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica)

Note: Cultivated hemp is often distinguished from cannabis by possessing very low levels of the psychoactive substance THC.

2

: the fiber of hemp

3

: marijuana sense 1

also : hashish