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

The nonalcoholic drink has notes of grapefruit and orange peel and is infused with 5mg of federally compliant Delta-9 THC derived from hemp. —Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025

Dineh Benally pleaded guilty to charges surrounding a pot- and hemp-growing operation that flourished during the confusion of the COVID-19 pandemic. —Arlyssa D. Becenti, AZCentral.com, 24 Sep. 2025

Vince Sanders’ turn toward hemp Sanders traces his start in CBD to his mother’s uncle, Denny Van Tuyl, who sought alternative therapies while battling cancer in 2012. —Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025

Rothy’s The Casual Clog Easy to slip on and off and made with machine washable hemp uppers, Rothy’s The Casual Clog are a fall vacation essential that provides the comfort of slippers with a slightly more refined look. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2025

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