hemp

noun

\ 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 noun hemp 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

As Allure explained, when cannabis contains less than 0.3% THC, it's considered hemp, and is therefore legal. — Teen Vogue, "A Shopping Guide to CBD Beauty Products," 20 Apr. 2019 The collection features porcelain trays, coasters, and boxes emblazoned with a silver hemp leaf on a black background or a sultry pair of red lips dangling a smoke. — Jennifer Milne, ELLE Decor, "In Time for 4/20, the Ultimate and Uber-Chic Weed Accessories from Jonathan Adler," 19 Apr. 2019 Guests were presented with sashimi and dumplings, strip loin and hemp rigatoni to follow, and s’mores and blueberry crumble to close. — Isiah Magsino, Vogue, "Bloomingdale’s Toasts Prabal Gurung With a Dinner of Hemp Pasta and CBD Salsa," 10 Apr. 2019 The passing of the Farm Bill is the surest sign yet that hemp has shed its headshop connotations and entered the mainstream. — Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, "Hemp Clothing Is Happening, and No, It Won’t Get You High," 4 Apr. 2019 Last month, President Donald Trump signed a large farm bill that designated hemp as a legal agricultural crop. — Kate Thayer, The Seattle Times, "Move over, jewelry and leggings. Selling CBD oil is the new side hustle for moms," 29 Jan. 2019 Roughly 30 nations now produce hemp, including Spain, Austria, Russia and Australia. — Adam Popescu, New York Times, "There’s No Place Like Home, Especially if It’s Made of Hemp," 29 Jan. 2018 The dairy industry has complained for almost 20 years that the FDA hasn’t policed this definition as products made from soy, almonds, cashews, rice, hemp, and oats have filled shelves in the dairy aisle. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "“Fake milk”: why the dairy industry is boiling over plant-based milks," 31 Aug. 2018 Flax seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts and their oils, as well as chia seeds are especially good sources. — Ellie Krieger, The Seattle Times, "How to fight dry winter skin from the inside out," 5 Feb. 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

4 May 2019

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The first known use of hemp was before the 12th century

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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