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

These factors include four health behaviors -- diet quality, physical activity, sleep duration and nicotine exposure -- and four health factors, including blood pressure, body mass index, blood sugar and blood fat levels. —Dr. Joseph Wendt, ABC News, 28 Jan. 2026

An Ohio State University study found that more than 15% of the school’s undergrad students had used nicotine pouches before; in fraternities, that number was far higher at more than 41%. —Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 28 Jan. 2026

Nearly all the health damage from smoking comes from inhaling smoke produced by burning tobacco, not from nicotine itself. —Kevin Bardosh, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2026

At the same time, vaping among teens has surged, introducing nicotine and acidic chemicals that erode enamel, inflame gums, and increase long-term oral health risks. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Jan. 2026

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.