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

Practically speaking, kratom often serves as a lower risk opioid substitute, so one potential ill effect of a ban is to push people into using more potent underground substances — just as bans on vaping have pushed nicotine seekers back to far-more dangerous cigarettes. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 25 Feb. 2026

The energy drinks contain either 3 mg or 6 mg of nicotine as well as caffeine from yerba mate. —Sarah Todd, STAT, 20 Feb. 2026

Alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and opioids increase dopamine release in the pathway; so do gambling and social media. —Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

Philip Morris’s nicotine pouch brand Zyn continues to grow and is becoming a bigger part of its business despite competition from British American Tobacco’s Velo. —Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 6 Feb. 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.