cannabis
Americannoun
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a plant of the genus Cannabis, most notably hemp, C. sativa .
They live where the cannabis grows wild, like an aggressive weed.
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any of the various parts of the plant, especially the leaves and flowering tops of C. sativa , from which hashish, marijuana, bhang, and similar mildly euphorigenic and hallucinogenic drugs are prepared.
The legality of possessing cannabis varies state by state.
noun
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the hemp plant, esp Indian hemp ( Cannabis indica ) See hemp
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the drug obtained from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, which is smoked or chewed for its psychoactive properties. It produces euphoria and relaxation; repeated use may lead to psychological dependence See also cannabin hashish marijuana bhang
Other Word Forms
- cannabic adjective
Etymology
Origin of cannabis
First recorded in 1790–1800; from New Latin, from Latin: literally, “hemp,” from Greek kánnabis; see origin at hemp
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Parts of the Aberdeenshire-based independent brewer and pub chain were bought by beverage and cannabis firm Tilray for £33m on Monday after Brewdog went into administration.
From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026
Also approved in Tuesday’s meeting was a ballot measure that, if successful in June, would close a tax loophole for illegal cannabis businesses and open them up to the threat of civil collections.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026
His Bhumjaithai party came third in the previous election, but the 59-year-old -- who championed Thailand's decriminalisation of cannabis -- became prime minister in September after his two predecessors were ousted by the courts.
From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026
In December, President Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice to fast-track the rescheduling of cannabis, a move that could open doors for research and cut red tape for businesses and consumers.
From Salon • Feb. 6, 2026
The greatest variety of opinions prevails upon the subject of cannabis and scutellaria.
From The Opium Habit by Day, Horace B.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
