: any of a genus (Nicotiana) of chiefly American plants of the nightshade family with viscid foliage and tubular flowers
especially: a tall erect annual tropical American herb (N. tabacum) cultivated for its leaves
2
: the leaves of cultivated tobacco prepared for use in smoking or chewing or as snuff
3
: manufactured products of tobacco (such as cigars or cigarettes)
also: smoking as a practice
has sworn off tobacco
4
: a moderate brown
Illustration of tobacco
tobacco 1
Examples of tobacco in a Sentence
a farm that grows tobacco
a state tax on tobacco
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Howe’s response was a Budget that raised the then-enormous sum of £4 billion in taxes via a freeze in thresholds — a tactic Reeves is set to deploy today — and big increases in alcohol, tobacco and motor fuel duties.—Ian King, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025 The Georgia Department of Driver Services says Georgians can now use digital driver's licenses on their phones to verify their age when buying alcohol and tobacco at participating retailers.—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 25 Nov. 2025 Tasted out of magnum bottles, this stunning blend has aromas of red raspberry, cassis, pine forest, and tobacco leaf with silky tannins and flavors of red and black fruits, tobacco leaf, and forest shrubs.—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2025 Certain studies have shown that transgender people are more likely to use tobacco products or less likely to receive routine cancer screenings — factors that could put them at higher risk of disease.—Rachana Pradhan, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tobacco
Word History
Etymology
Spanish tabaco, probably from Taino, roll of tobacco leaves
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