: 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
Recent Examples on the WebAnd because both contain nicotine, the ingredient that makes tobacco products addictive, quitting either is often a difficult task.—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 13 July 2024 His family farm produced cotton and tobacco, among other crops.—Cooper Metts, Charlotte Observer, 11 July 2024 Districts must include a disciplinary provision that students found to possess nicotine, tobacco or vaping products will have those products confiscated.—Rebecca Grapevine, The Courier-Journal, 11 July 2024 Most are marketed as smoke-free, spit-free and hands-free alternatives to cigarettes and other tobacco products.—Vicky Nguyen, NBC News, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for tobacco
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tobacco.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Spanish tabaco, probably from Taino, roll of tobacco leaves
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