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

Example Sentences

Taking the stand at his murder trial, Woodward testified that he smoked marijuana at the park, went into a haze and discovered Bernstein touching his genitals.

From Los Angeles Times

Gaetz’s views on some issues - he favours legalisation of marijuana - are outside the Republican mainstream.

From BBC

"I think they had requirements on things that she didn't want to talk about, she didn't want to talk about marijuana legalization, which I thought was hilarious."

From Salon

I smoked marijuana, but it’s not so interesting to me anymore.

From Los Angeles Times

Reported by Elizabeth Hlavinka: Voters in four red states will cast their ballots for legalizing cannabis and marijuana, the extracts from the plant.

From Salon

Related Words

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