tetrahydrocannabinol

noun

tet·​ra·​hy·​dro·​can·​nab·​i·​nol ˌte-trə-ˌhī-drə-kə-ˈna-bə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: thc

CBD is just one of dozens of cannabinoids found in cannabis, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the one responsible for marijuana's famous high.

—Christie Aschwanden

… gummy bears infused with THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive ingredient in pot.

—Marshall Allen

Examples of tetrahydrocannabinol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Medical marijuana includes products with cannabidiol, or CBD, and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the part of the plant that produces euphoria. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026

Two of these are tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the compound known for causing feelings of euphoria and relaxation, and CBD, which has no psychoactive effect. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026

Two of these are tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the compound known for causing feelings of euphoria and relaxation, and CBD, which has no psychoactive effect. —Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 4 Feb. 2026

Cannabis produces a complex suite of bioactive compounds, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), but how these molecules evolved has long been a mystery. —New Atlas, 10 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

tetrahydro- (combined with four atoms of hydrogen) + cannabin + -ol entry 1

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tetrahydrocannabinol

• phosphatidylinositol
• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball

Medical Definition

tetrahydrocannabinol

noun

tet·​ra·​hy·​dro·​can·​nab·​i·​nol -kə-ˈnab-ə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: thc

especially : thc sense a