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

Smokeless tobacco or alternative nicotine products, such as chewing tobacco, will soon be banned at Detroit's sports stadiums. —Dana Afana, Freep.com, 22 Oct. 2025

Healey also proposed new taxes on candy, prescription drugs and synthetic nicotine products — levies that the state legislature ultimately rejected. —Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025

Critics also argue that adults are capable of deciding for themselves whether to use the products and that the city should instead focus on ensuring that kids and underage buyers don't buy nicotine in the first place. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Oct. 2025

It is designed to test for vaporized tobacco, marijuana, nicotine products, and e-cigarette devices. —Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025

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.