tobacco

noun

to·​bac·​co tə-ˈba-(ˌ)kō How to pronounce tobacco (audio)
plural tobaccos
1
: 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

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 Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the pilot study, the team noted two in five people who develop lung cancer in Canada do not meet current screening inclusion criteria and half have never smoked tobacco at all, with another half smoking too little or too long ago for the tobacco alone to be considered a cause. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2025 Barrels were filled at 114 proof and aged for 14 years, resulting in a 129-proof whiskey with notes of vanilla, maple, and tobacco on the palate. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2025 Men are more likely to experience alcoholism, smoke tobacco or use other drugs, the study stated, each of which can increase the likelihood of fatal diseases, like lung cancer or heart disease. Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025 Store owners say the system favors large tobacco companies, which have lobbied for the law in Wisconsin and other states. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tobacco

Word History

Etymology

Spanish tabaco, probably from Taino, roll of tobacco leaves

First Known Use

circa 1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tobacco was circa 1565

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tobacco.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tobacco. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

tobacco

noun
to·​bac·​co tə-ˈbak-ō How to pronounce tobacco (audio)
plural tobaccos
1
: any of a genus of chiefly American plants of the nightshade family that have sticky leaves and tube-shaped flowers
especially : a tall upright tropical American herb with pink or white flowers that is grown for its leaves
2
: the leaves of cultivated tobacco prepared for use in smoking or chewing or as snuff

Medical Definition

tobacco

noun
to·​bac·​co tə-ˈbak-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce tobacco (audio)
plural tobaccos
1
: any plant of the genus Nicotiana
especially : an annual South 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
also : the use of tobacco as a practice

More from Merriam-Webster on tobacco

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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