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

Districts must include a disciplinary provision that students found to possess nicotine, tobacco or vaping products will have those products confiscated. —Rebecca Grapevine, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2024

Many teens and adults use the word addictive when describing social-media sites, as if the apps themselves are laced with nicotine. —Caroline Mimbs Nyce, The Atlantic, 18 June 2024

Vape manufacturers are taking a victory lap over a Supreme Court decision that could dramatically weaken the Food and Drug Administration’s power to regulate tobacco and nicotine products as regulators see fit. —Nicholas Florko, STAT, 28 June 2024

It was spurred, in part, by the United States’ lax enforcement of nicotine regulations. —Louise Matsakis, WIRED, 25 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from New Latin nicotiana

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

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.