: 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
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Smoking: Exposure to certain cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke increases your risk of developing AML.—Health, 24 May 2025 Once in the body, alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde — a carcinogen also found in tobacco smoke.—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 22 May 2025 The Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, the first WHO treaty, has reduced tobacco use by one-third over the past 20 years and has saved lives with policies like indoor smoking bans.—Simon Williams, Time, 21 May 2025 Eating, drinking, tasting, or tobacco use in food preparation area.—Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for tobacco
Word History
Etymology
Spanish tabaco, probably from Taino, roll of tobacco leaves
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