cannabis

noun

can·​na·​bis ˈka-nə-bəs 

1

: a tall Asian herb (Cannabis sativa of the family Cannabaceae, the hemp family) that has a tough fiber and is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica) : hemp sense 1a

—used especially for cultivated varieties having high levels of THC

2

a

: the psychoactive dried flower buds, leaves, or preparations (such as hashish) or chemicals (such as THC) that are derived from the cannabis plant

especially : marijuana

b

: cannabinoid

Examples of cannabis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The man accepted a plea agreement to misdemeanor possession of cannabis and served nearly seven months in federal prison. —José Ignacio Castañeda Perez, The Arizona Republic, 15 Feb. 2025

More than $371 million worth of cannabis was sold in Wayne County last year — more than 11% of the state's more than $3.2 billion in sales. —Joe Guillen, Axios, 13 Feb. 2025

The Fresh Toast is a daily lifestyle platform with a side of cannabis. —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025

Dan died in Colorado, a global leader in robust, straightforward, and consumer-centric regulations on everything from craft beer to cannabis to psilocybin. —David Bregger, The Denver Post, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, hemp, from Greek kannabis; akin to Old English hænep hemp

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cannabis

• medical cannabis

Kids Definition

cannabis

noun

can·​na·​bis ˈkan-ə-bəs 

: hemp sense 1

also : a preparation (as marijuana) made from hemp and affecting the mind

Medical Definition

cannabis

noun

can·​na·​bis ˈkan-ə-bəs 

1

: a tall Asian herb (Cannabis sativa of the family Cannabaceae, the hemp family) that has a tough fiber and is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica) : hemp sense 1

—used especially for cultivated varieties having high levels of THC

2

: the psychoactive dried flower buds, leaves, or preparations (as hashish) or chemicals (as THC) that are derived from the cannabis plant

especially : marijuana