: 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
Recent Examples on the WebDouglas Yeomans said his parents bought the farm in the 1960s and it had been used to farm tobacco.—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 23 June 2024 There are notes of balsa wood, cinnamon, grape, apple, leather, and sweet tobacco on the palate.—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 June 2024 Lung cancer rates were dropping as a result of educational efforts about the harms of tobacco.—Ronnie Cohen, NPR, 20 June 2024 Its timeless design was rendered in a sophisticated color palette of six different hues, ranging from tobacco and forest green to beige and navy.—Andrea Onate, WWD, 18 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for tobacco
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tobacco.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Spanish tabaco, probably from Taino, roll of tobacco leaves
Share