tobacco

noun

to·​bac·​co tə-ˈba-(ˌ)kō 

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

• tobacco 1

Examples of tobacco in a Sentence

a farm that grows tobacco

a state tax on tobacco

Recent Examples on the Web

The vanilla and tobacco create this cozy base that works beautifully with Alto Astral’s salted amber, while the coconut stays bright on top. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 15 Aug. 2025

Yves Saint Laurent’s new Caban scent combines hay and tobacco with classic gourmand notes of tonka bean, almond, and caramel, while Marissa Zappas has Violette Hay that includes hay and violet notes (a common pairing) as well as carrot seeds, suede, and saffron. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 13 Aug. 2025

Researchers excluded non-food items like alcohol and tobacco, as well as fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood, which don't have standard nutrition labels. —Dr. Veer Patel, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2025

Food, beverages, and tobacco Post Holdings (No. 477) announced that Jeff A. Zadoks will retire as EVP and COO, effective Jan. 2, 2026. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish tabaco, probably from Taino, roll of tobacco leaves

First Known Use

circa 1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tobacco

• anti-tobacco
• chewing tobacco
• dipping tobacco
• Indian tobacco
• smokeless tobacco
• tobacco budworm
• tobacco hornworm
• tobacco juice
• tobacco mosaic virus
• tobacco road

Rhymes for tobacco

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

tobacco

noun

to·​bac·​co tə-ˈbak-ō 

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 

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