nicotine

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noun nic·o·tine \ˈni-kə-ˌtēn\

Definition of nicotine

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

See nicotine defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of nicotine from the Web

Layer upon layer of nicotine stain and old paint were removed from the interior of the Woodland’s historic State Theatre, so that its original palette of aquamarines and reds could be uncovered, and re-created.

— carla meyer, sacbee, "Get a first look at this historic local movie theater’s impressive transformation," 28 June 2017
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., argued that nicotine vaporizers help smokers quit the habit without actually burning tobacco like cigarettes.

— bart jansen, USA TODAY, "House panel agrees to outlaw vaping on planes, to bolster a DOT ban," 27 June 2017
Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine in the four to six hours before bedtime.

— cincinnati enquirer, Cincinnati.com, "How to fix common sleep problems," 26 June 2017
There is, of course, another major difference between drug dealers and people who sell nicotine and alcohol products – the latter two are mostly white.

— don winslow, Time, "Don Winslow: President Trump's War on Drugs Is Catastrophic," 20 June 2017
But health officials have warned nicotine in e-cigarettes is harmful to developing brains.

— mike stobbe, The Christian Science Monitor, "A big win for public health: teen vaping falls, study says," 16 June 2017
Research has found kids like to vape flavorings like strawberry and bubble gum, though often in nicotine-free versions.

— mike stobbe, The Seattle Times, "No longer the hot new thing? Teen vaping falls, study says," 15 June 2017
Some, like nicotine, even resist treatment, polluting waterways and potentially contaminating water used for consumption, the study notes.

— jacopo prisco, CNN, "Study reveals high environmental cost of tobacco," 31 May 2017
L'Hoir's daughter was diagnosed with nicotine poisoning and received treatment before being released that evening, the CBC reported.

— ajc homepage, ajc, "9-year-old taken to hospital after mistaking 'Unicorn Milk' vape juice for candy," 31 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nicotine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of nicotine

French, from New Latin nicotiana

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1817

See Words from the same year

NICOTINE Defined for English Language Learners

nicotine

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noun

Definition of nicotine for English Language Learners

: a poisonous substance in tobacco that makes it difficult for people to stop smoking cigarettes

NICOTINE Defined for Kids

nicotine

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noun nic·o·tine \ˈni-kə-ˌtēn\

Definition of nicotine for Students

: a poisonous substance found in small amounts in tobacco

Medical Dictionary

nicotine

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noun nic·o·tine \ˈnik-ə-ˌtēn\

Medical Definition of nicotine

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

Biographical Note for nicotine

Nicot

\nē-kō\play ,

Jean

(1530?–1600), French diplomat. While French ambassador to Portugal, Nicot introduced tobacco to France by sending tobacco seeds as a gift to the French court in 1560. Linnaeus named the plant genus Nicotiana in his honor in 1753.