nicotine

noun

nic·​o·​tine ˈni-kə-ˌtēn 

: a poisonous alkaloid C₁₀H₁₄N₂ that is the chief active principle of tobacco and is used as an insecticide

Examples of nicotine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The program can also provide two weeks of nicotine patches or gum and helps enrollees see if their employers or health plans can offer further medical support. —Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, IndyStar, 25 Nov. 2025

While products like e-cigarettes still have nicotine, it is not burned. —NPR, 21 Nov. 2025

Two break-ins recently happened at businesses along Five Mile Road, during which vaping and nicotine products were stolen, the Livonia Police Department said. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025

Studies have found that vapor can contain nicotine, metals and other harmful chemicals, even for those who aren’t vaping . —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from New Latin nicotiana

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nicotine

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Kids Definition

nicotine

noun

nic·​o·​tine ˈnik-ə-ˌtēn 

: a poisonous substance found in tobacco and used as an insecticide

Medical Definition

nicotine

noun

nic·​o·​tine ˈnik-ə-ˌtēn 

: a poisonous alkaloid C₁₀H₁₄N₂ that is the chief active principle of tobacco and that is used as an insecticide and is sometimes used in smoking cessation aids

Note: Trademarks for nicotine include Nicoderm, Nicorette, and Nicotrol.