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

Only industrial hemp and CBD would remain legal. —Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025

It is traditionally made from olive oil but has evolved over the years to include other plant oils like hemp, coconut, sunflower, jojoba, walnut, and avocado. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 2 Oct. 2025

Four Kentucky House representatives — McGarvey, along with Andy Barr, James Comer and Thomas Massie — sent chamber leaders a letter this week urging them to remove language from an appropriations bill that would ban some intoxicating hemp products. —Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025

Foods like hemp seeds, spinach, amaranth, cacao powder, and rice bran not only surpass pumpkin seeds in their magnesium content, but also deliver additional nutrients and health benefits. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 1 Oct. 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