tetrahydrocannabinol

noun

tet·​ra·​hy·​dro·​can·​nab·​i·​nol ˌte-trə-ˌhī-drə-kə-ˈna-bə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: thc

… more and more people are advocating for increased research into cannabis. Today, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is used in the medical field to deal with certain types of pain, muscle cramps, dizziness and loss of appetite.

—Indian Agriculture News

… gummy bears infused with THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive ingredient in pot.

—Marshall Allen

Examples of tetrahydrocannabinol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Texas law currently allows the sale of hemp products containing up to 0.3% THC, which is short for tetrahydrocannabinol. —Alex Driggars, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

People who consumed edibles laced with tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, showed signs of early cardiovascular disease similar to tobacco smokers. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 18 June 2025

The cannabinoids in cannabis, especially THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates sleep and mood. —Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 17 Dec. 2024

The ordinance addresses Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which the U.S. Department of Agriculture states is a psychoactive substance typically manufactured from the cannabis plant. —Alan Kozeluh, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

tetrahydro- (combined with four atoms of hydrogen) + cannabin + -ol entry 1

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tetrahydrocannabinol

• phosphatidylinositol
• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• catarrhal
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball

Medical Definition

tetrahydrocannabinol

noun

tet·​ra·​hy·​dro·​can·​nab·​i·​nol -kə-ˈnab-ə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: thc

especially : thc sense a