nicotine

[ nik-uh-teen, -tin, nik-uh-teen ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, oily, water-soluble, highly toxic, liquid alkaloid, C 1 0 H 1 4 N 2 , found in tobacco and valued as an insecticide.

nicotine

/ ˈnɪkəˌtiːn; ˌnɪkəˈtɪnɪk /

noun

1. a colourless oily acrid toxic liquid that turns yellowish-brown in air and light: the principal alkaloid in tobacco, used as an agricultural insecticide. Formula: C 10 H 14 N 2

nicotine

/ nĭk′ə-tēn′ /

1. A colorless, poisonous compound occurring naturally in the tobacco plant. It is used in medicine and as an insecticide, and it is the substance in tobacco products to which smokers can become addicted. Nicotine is an alkaloid. Chemical formula: C 10 H 14 N 2 .

nicotine

1. A poisonous chemical substance found in the tobacco plant.

Derived Forms

• ˈnicoˌtined, adjective
• nicotinic, adjective

Other Words From

• nico·tined adjective
• nico·tineless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nicotine¹

From French, dating back to 1810–20; nicotiana, -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of nicotine¹

C19: from French, from New Latin herba nicotiana Nicot's plant, named after J. Nicot (1530–1600), French diplomat who introduced tobacco into France

Example Sentences

The team lined up eight pairs of adults to try to buy flavored nicotine vaping products from 78 online retailers in October 2023.

From Los Angeles Times

It works by reducing cravings for nicotine and blocking its effect on the brain, while also helping with withdrawal symptoms, such as feeling irritable or having difficulty sleeping.

From BBC

Under the bill, shops will need a licence to sell tobacco, vape and nicotine products in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

From BBC

Under the bill, shops would have to obtain a licence in order to sell tobacco, vape and nicotine products in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

From BBC

It had proposed different levels of tax based on the amount of nicotine in the vaping liquid.

From BBC