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 hemp industry went into a tailspin when Congress approved a provision sandwiched in a November funding bill to end the government shutdown. —Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Miller has faced scrutiny during his tenure, including criticism over rehiring an aide who pleaded guilty to commercial bribery tied to hemp licensing, and questions about fees and travel. —Lilly Kersh, Dallas Morning News, 3 Mar. 2026

Most recently, he was criticized for his decision to hire his campaign consultant, Todd Smith, as his chief of staff after Smith pleaded guilty to commercial bribery, a felony, for selling hemp licenses that the Department of Agriculture issues. —Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026

These pants are made from an organic cotton and hemp blend, and would work great for Scandi travel. —Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 2026

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