hemp

noun

ˈhemp 

1

a

: a tall widely cultivated Asian herb (Cannabis sativa of the family Cannabaceae, the hemp family) that is cultivated for its tough bast fiber and edible seeds and oil and that is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica)

Note: Cultivated hemp is often distinguished from cannabis by possessing very low levels of the psychoactive substance THC.

b

: the fiber of hemp

… hemp can produce superb paper and construction materials lighter and stronger than lumber.

—Ted Williams

—often used before another noun

hemp rope

a hemp shirt

c

: marijuana

also : hashish

2

: a fiber (such as jute) from a plant other than the true hemp

also : a plant yielding such fiber

Examples of hemp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Friday makes high-fiber meals feel flexible A smoothie bowl with seeds and fruit can include frozen acai, banana, spinach, hemp seeds, raspberries and granola. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026

Since federal agencies lack the manpower to impose the hemp ban at thousands of stores nationwide, enforcement likely would rely largely on state regulators and local police, which could be a challenge. —Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

Custom upholstery options range from sunny stripe hemp blend to recycled velvet with contrasting trim for extra pizzazz. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 4 June 2026

American Shaman, the massive Kansas City company that rode the wave of unregulated hemp and kratom products, will suspend all its kratom sales in Missouri. —Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hænep; akin to Old High German hanaf hemp, Greek kannabis

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hemp

• bowstring hemp
• hemp nettle
• Indian hemp
• Manila hemp
• sann hemp
• sunn hemp

Rhymes for hemp

• kemp
• temp

Kids Definition

hemp

noun

ˈhemp 

1

: a tall Asian herb widely grown for its tough woody fiber that is used to make rope and for its flowers and leaves from which are obtained various drugs (as hashish and marijuana) that affect the mind or behavior

2

: the fiber of hemp

Medical Definition

hemp

noun

ˈhemp 

1

: a tall widely cultivated Asian herb of the genus Cannabis (C. sativa) that is cultivated for its strong woody fiber and edible seeds and oil and that is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica)

Note: Cultivated hemp is often distinguished from cannabis by possessing very low levels of the psychoactive substance THC.

2

: the fiber of hemp

3

: marijuana sense 1

also : hashish