cannabis
Americannoun
-
a plant of the genus Cannabis, most notably hemp, C. sativa .
They live where the cannabis grows wild, like an aggressive weed.
-
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
-
the hemp plant, esp Indian hemp ( Cannabis indica ) See hemp
-
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
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.
According to Prof. de Villiers, the discovery underscores how much remains to be learned about Cannabis.
From Science Daily • May 1, 2026
She says that due to these problems, she estimates that of the 160-plus licences of various categories granted by Jamaica's Cannabis Licensing Authority between 2017 and 2024, "very few" are still in operation.
From BBC • Jan. 26, 2026
Mr. Correa, a Democrat, represents California’s 46th Congressional District and is a member of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026
Since collective protests at the Capitol couldn’t change the Legislature’s mind, the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association decided to file a legal complaint on the same day the budget passed.
From Slate • Oct. 17, 2025
Sulphonal, Hyoscyamus, Cannabis Ind., Calomel, Zinc, etc., with no results, the case was given Verbena hastata.
From New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers by Anshutz, Edward Pollock
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.
