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

They are made with high quality, USA-grown hemp with 5mg of THC plus 25mg of CBD per serving. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024

Recently, a friend turned me on to his favorite post-workout treat: a smoothie mixed with a spoonful of ground hemp seeds. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024

People 18 and older in Florida are also allowed to buy CBD products, including oils and topicals, from authorized sellers if the product has 0.3% or less of THC and was extracted from the hemp plant. —Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024

It's made with little more than coconut oil, hemp extract, and a blend of organic cardamom, peppermint, and cacao absolute essential oils. —Jamie Ballard, Allure, 28 Mar. 2024

The couple had suffered too many losses planting hemp, losses that cut into their nest egg. —Wesley Parnell, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2024

Chemicals used to convert cannabinoids found in hemp into delta-8 may include harmful contaminants, the agency cautioned. —Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024

Others also objected to the 100% sales tax on CBD and hemp products, which would drive many businesses that sell them out of business, Omaha state Sen. Jen Day said. —Margery A. Beck, Quartz, 2 Apr. 2024

Florida’s hemp business came into effect after the federal 2018 farm bill, which legalized hemp. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024

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

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