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

Starface customers certainly have questions about acne, and customers of Blip, which sells nicotine gum, definitely have questions about how to stop smoking. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026

The tobacco industry’s harm reduction approach frames e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, as a way to create a smoke-free future by transitioning smokers to other nicotine products. —Marie Helweg-Larsen, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026

The proposal would allow schools that already have student-athlete drug testing programs to also include nicotine in those screenings. —Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026

The sale or distribution of nicotine dispensing devices or nicotine products to persons under age 21 is prohibited by federal law. —Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 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.