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

And whether the jumble of head shops, health stores, big marijuana, growers, distributors and other businesses that make up Georgia's hemp and cannabis industry can find common ground and lobby lawmakers with a unified voice. —Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025

According to that documentation, the goals of the grant were to develop sustainable feminine hygiene products using regenerative cotton, wool, and industrial hemp while enhancing education through an extension program that teaches women and girls about menstrual health and reusable products. —Dan Ruetenik, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2025

This distinction has led some companies to extract THC and CBD from hemp instead of cannabis, enabling them to sell direct-to-consumer online and in liquor stores, grocery stores and convenience stores. —Joshua Adragna, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2025

Last August, five hemp businesses filed a lawsuit, saying that they were unjustly targeted. —Benjamin Adams, Forbes, 15 Jan. 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