hemp

\ ˈhemp

Definition of hemp

1a : 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 nounhemp ropea 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 Passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which eased federal legal restrictions on hemp cultivation and transport, unleashed a stampede of companies rushing products to the market in an absence of regulations ensuring safety, quality and effectiveness. — Fortune, "What You Need to Know Before Buying CBD Oil or Treats for Your Pet," 8 Jan. 2020 Passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which eased federal legal restrictions on hemp cultivation and transport, unleashed a stampede of companies rushing products to the market in an absence of regulations ensuring safety, quality and effectiveness. — Time, "Want to Calm Your Anxious Pet With CBD? Some Products Are All Bark and No Bite: Study," 7 Jan. 2020 The university expects the volume of the plastic waste will increase, in part because of the growth of the hemp and cannabis markets. — USA TODAY, "Navajo ‘Baby Shark,’ Stanley Hotel, final ‘Plunge for Pete’: News from around our 50 states," 31 Dec. 2019 The company is transparent in the hemp's sourcing on its website. — Jordan Valinsky, CNN, "Edible Arrangements is selling CBD-infused edibles. This is not a joke," 21 Nov. 2019 Meanwhile, the federal government recently approved Delaware’s plans for commercial production of hemp as an agricultural crop. — Washington Post, "Company seeks permits for hemp extraction facility," 5 Feb. 2020 Opportunities created by the federal legalization of hemp are welcome news not simply for STEM professionals facing an increasingly challenging job market, but also for scientists like me who are seeking new frontiers of discovery. — Andrea Holmes, STAT, "The cannabis boom could be good for science — and scientists," 27 Jan. 2020 Designer Thierry Lemaire tops his spiky column with a shade of Nepalese hemp. — Sarah Medford, WSJ, "Best-in-Show From 2020’s Paris Design Fair," 24 Jan. 2020 The following year,1,500 acres of hemp were planted in the US. — Jenni Avins, Quartz, "The number of US acres devoted to hemp is 100 times greater than five years ago," 31 Dec. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hemp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

23 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Hemp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hemp. Accessed 26 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for hemp

hemp

noun

English Language Learners Definition of hemp

: a plant that is used to make thick ropes and some drugs (such as hashish and marijuana)

See the full definition for hemp in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hemp

noun

\ ˈhemp

Kids Definition of hemp

: a tall Asian plant grown for its tough woody fiber that is used especially in making rope and for its flowers and leaves that yield drugs (as marijuana)

hemp

noun

\ ˈhemp

Medical Definition of hemp

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

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