: a preparation of pulverized tobacco that is inserted under the upper lip to release nicotine into the bloodstream
Fans and players are prohibited from using all tobacco products including smoke-free products like … chewing tobacco, and snus.
compare snuff entry 6 sense 1

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Swedish, short for snus-tobak, from snus- (akin to or derivative of snusa "to sniff, breathe heavily," expressive formation with snu- as in snut snout entry 1, snuva "head cold") + tobak tobacco

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snus was in 1916

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snus. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Entry added
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster