420

or 4:20 or 4/20

[ fawr-twen-tee, fohr‐ ]

noun

, Slang

1. marijuana:

   Are you carrying any 420 on you?

2. marijuana drug use: The guys at the party were all 420-friendly.

   Police presence at the concert discouraged 420.

   The guys at the party were all 420-friendly.

3. the twentieth day of the fourth month, or the time 4:20, when referenced as a day or time for cannabis consumption or the celebration of marijuana culture:

   The head shop has a big pipe sale every year on 420.

Word History and Origins

Origin of 420¹

First recorded in 1970–75; a code word derived from the meeting time of a particular group of marijuana smokers in 1971, later popularized by fans of the band the Grateful Dead

Example Sentences

He enjoyed 171 wins in 420 games at the helm, of which 17 came in his first period in charge between September 2012, when he succeeded Andy Thorn, and February 2013, when Robins left to join Huddersfield.

From BBC

The seven-member school board sets policy for the nation’s second-largest school district, which educates about 420,000 students and employs some 74,000 teachers, administrators and other staff.

From Los Angeles Times

The 53-year-old is paying almost £600 this year, up from £420 and he had been quoted around £1,500 by some companies.

From BBC

Over that same period, the monthly number of encounters with migrants from Guatemala fell 81% — from 34,693 to 6,420 — and there was a 76% drop — from 18,993 to 4,465 — with those from Honduras, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center.

From Los Angeles Times

Data from the College Board shows the average cost of attending a four-year school in 2023-2024 starts at $28,840 and goes up to $60,420, depending on whether the student is in-state or out-of-state or attends a public versus private college.

From Salon

About This Word

What is 420?

420 is a slang term (or a kind of code word) referring to marijuana or marijuana use.

Due to this association, 420 is also used as the name of an unofficial holiday that marijuana enthusiasts celebrate by using marijuana. It is sometimes called Weed Day (weed is a slang term for marijuana).

When is 420?

420 is April 20—aka 4/20.

More information and context on 420

The first records of the term 420 in the context of marijuana come from the early 1970s. It most likely began as a code word among a small group of California highschoolers whose regular meeting time to smoke weed was at 4:20 p.m. (There does not seem to be any evidence for theories involving 420 being a criminal code violation number or a police radio code.) It was later popularized in part by fans of the band the Grateful Dead.

As the term became more well-known, the date of April 20 (written in the month/day date format as 4/20) became recognized among marijuana users as a day to indulge in its use. The time 4:20 is sometimes used in the same way (with 4:20 on 4/20 being especially popular among some celebrants).

While 420 has traditionally been an excuse for people to get together and smoke weed, it is sometimes used a day to hold organized events, such as rallies to support the legalization of marijuana. It has become even more well-known as marijuana becomes legal in many locations.

420 is not the only unofficial holiday based on a particular date representing something in pop culture. March 14 has become known as Pi Day due to its date (written in the month/day format as 3/14) resembling an approximation of pi (3.14). May 4 is sometimes called Star Wars Day because May the Fourth sounds like the beginning of the well-known Star Wars greeting May the force be with you.

What are some terms that often get used in discussing 420?

• marijuana
• cannabis
• weed
• pot
• smoke
• celebrate
• stoner
• holiday
• high

How is 420 discussed in real life?

420 is a slang term that’s most commonly associated with its use as the name of the informal holiday.

April 20th aka 420 is coming up y’all.. We got this free dope event happening.. All day & night.. Live performances, food, drinks, weed & art.. Line up announced soon.!!! Limited capacity & live taping.. Peep the flyer for RSVP. pic.twitter.com/mr8CC7WnWv

— QUIP (@EQUIPTO) February 22, 2021

Just got my friend booked to DJ at the dispensary I work at on 420 🙌🏽 I know he’s gonna get down with the techno and house 😎 can’t wait

— Choco Latino (@kRAZiE_) April 6, 2021

I'm gonna need some weed to celebrate 420 this year

— Dani (@_Katabatic) April 10, 2021

Try using 420!

True or False?

420 happens on the fourth day of the 20th month.