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

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, if a plant contains no more than 0.3% of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the compound that gives users a buzzy high, it's considered hemp. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 24 Nov. 2025

In just 87 incidents, the sensors were triggered by tetrahydrocannabinol, the mind-shifting compound in cannabis, which can be consumed by vaping or other delivery methods. —Mark Keierleber, Wired News, 19 Nov. 2025

Given this inconsistency, use cannabis products containing THC (short for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) where its use is legal. —Carly Fisher, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2025

Marijuana, derived from the cannabis plant, contains two primary compounds — tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025

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