tobacco

noun

to·​bac·​co tə-ˈba-(ˌ)kō How to pronounce tobacco (audio)
plural tobaccos
1
: 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

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 Web In exchange for their cooperation, witnesses were given food, drinks, tobacco products, visits from family and friends and even conjugal visits, according to the court documents. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Everyone’s tobacco is toasted, but no one else has bothered to plant a flag. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Use of tobacco, vaping and e-cigarettes is not allowed inside the stadium. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2024 The final goal would be achieved by raising the legal age for buying tobacco products every year starting in 2027. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 But when Allen started smoking tobacco at 13, my sister would no longer allow him around her son, even though her husband smoked. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2024 The interior features Recaro touring seats finished in tobacco bridle leather, with unique rear seats inspired by the Type 928. Michael Van Runkle, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 Previous tobacco control restrictions have also been highly effective at helping people quit, Mills said. Jen Christensen, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024 Red plum, red currant, cedar chest, vanilla, and cherry pipe tobacco flavors are wrapped in a layer of elegant tannins that endure on the palate long after the last sip. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2024

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

First Known Use

circa 1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tobacco was circa 1565

Dictionary Entries Near tobacco

Cite this Entry

“Tobacco.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tobacco. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tobacco

noun
to·​bac·​co tə-ˈbak-ō How to pronounce tobacco (audio)
plural tobaccos
1
: any of a genus of chiefly American plants of the nightshade family that have sticky leaves and tube-shaped flowers
especially : a tall upright tropical American herb with pink or white flowers that is grown for its leaves
2
: the leaves of cultivated tobacco prepared for use in smoking or chewing or as snuff

Medical Definition

tobacco

noun
to·​bac·​co tə-ˈbak-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce tobacco (audio)
plural tobaccos
1
: any plant of the genus Nicotiana
especially : an annual South 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
also : the use of tobacco as a practice

More from Merriam-Webster on tobacco

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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