marijuana

[ mar-uh-wah-nuh ]

noun

1. a psychoactive narcotic drug rendered from the leaves and flowering tops of a cannabis plant, especially Cannabis sativa, used for recreational or medical purposes by smoking, vaping, or ingesting:

   He’s tried marijuana but claims it has no effect on him.

2. the dried leaves and flowering tops from which the drug is rendered:

   Her personal stash of marijuana is rarely more than an ounce or two.

3. any plant of the genus Cannabis, especially C. sativa, whose leaves and flowering tops have psychoactive properties:

   several acres of cultivated marijuana.

marijuana

/ ˌmærɪˈhwɑːnə /

noun

1. the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, used for its euphoric effects, esp in the form of cigarettes See also cannabis
2. another name for hemp

Word History and Origins

Origin of marijuana¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; from Mexican Spanish marihuana, mariguana; the traditional association with the personal name María Juana is probably a folk etymology

Word History and Origins

Origin of marijuana¹

C19: from Mexican Spanish

Related Words

• bhang
• cannabis
• dope
• hashish
• hemp
• herb
• tea