tobacco

American  

[tuh-bak-oh] / təˈbæk oʊ /

noun

plural

tobaccos, tobaccoes

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Nicotiana, of the nightshade family, especially one of those species, as N. tabacum, whose leaves are prepared for smoking or chewing or as snuff.

2. the prepared leaves, as used in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.

3. any product or products made from such leaves.

4. any of various similar plants of other genera.

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tobacco British  

/ təˈbækəʊ /

noun

1. any of numerous solanaceous plants of the genus Nicotiana, having mildly narcotic properties, tapering hairy leaves, and tubular or funnel-shaped fragrant flowers. The species N. tabacum is cultivated as the chief source of commercial tobacco

2. the leaves of certain of these plants dried and prepared for snuff, chewing, or smoking

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Other Word Forms

• antitobacco adjective
• tobaccoless adjective

Etymology

Origin of tobacco

1525–35; < Spanish tabaco, perhaps < Arawak: a pipe for smoking the plant, or roll of leaves smoked, or the plant

Example Sentences

The improvised prison pens—everything from old army barracks and training camps, barns and fairgrounds, derelict cotton warehouses and tobacco factories—were emptied out.

From The Wall Street Journal

December's sudden uptick was attributed to one-off seasonal factors such as flight costs over Christmas and an increase in tobacco tax announced in the Budget.

From BBC

Cuba is known as a producer of high-quality tobacco and cigars.

From Barron's

The name comes from an estate built on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in the early years of the 18th century by Philemon Hemsley, a wealthy merchant and tobacco planter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Utilities, semiconductors, defense, and tobacco sectors are the most resilient to broadening AI risks, according to the analysts’ assessment of European stocks.

From Barron's

Related Words

• cigarette
• crop
• smoking