tobacco

[tuh-bak-oh]

noun

plural

tobaccos, tobaccoes 

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Nicotiana, of the nightshade family, especially one of those species, as N. tabacum, whose leaves are prepared for smoking or chewing or as snuff.

2. the prepared leaves, as used in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.

3. any product or products made from such leaves.

4. any of various similar plants of other genera.

tobacco

/ təˈbækəʊ /

noun

1. any of numerous solanaceous plants of the genus Nicotiana, having mildly narcotic properties, tapering hairy leaves, and tubular or funnel-shaped fragrant flowers. The species N. tabacum is cultivated as the chief source of commercial tobacco

2. the leaves of certain of these plants dried and prepared for snuff, chewing, or smoking

Other Word Forms

• tobaccoless adjective
• antitobacco adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tobacco¹

1525–35; < Spanish tabaco, perhaps < Arawak: a pipe for smoking the plant, or roll of leaves smoked, or the plant

Word History and Origins

Origin of tobacco¹

C16: from Spanish tabaco, perhaps from Taino: leaves rolled for smoking, assumed by the Spaniards to be the name of the plant

Example Sentences

Philip Morris International PM -4.89%decrease; red down pointing triangle raised its full-year outlook after logging higher profit and revenue in the third quarter, boosted by continuing strength across its smokeless tobacco products.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They were also associated with an increased risk for tobacco use, infectious diseases including HIV and viral hepatitis, and autoimmune diseases.

Read more on Science Daily

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy identified alcohol use as the nation's third leading preventable cause of cancer, following tobacco use and obesity.

Read more on Science Daily

Louise has worked around the world with dogs detecting firearms, explosives and tobacco, but said Henry was one of a growing number involved in conservation detecting and tackling wildlife crime.

Read more on BBC

The tobacco industry’s sales were up right until the moment they weren’t.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• cigarette 
• crop 
• smoking www.thesaurus.com