cannabis

noun

can·​na·​bis ˈka-nə-bəs 

1

: a tall Asian herb (Cannabis sativa of the family Cannabaceae, the hemp family) that has a tough fiber and is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica) : hemp sense 1a

—used especially for cultivated varieties having high levels of THC

2

a

: the psychoactive dried flower buds, leaves, or preparations (such as hashish) or chemicals (such as THC) that are derived from the cannabis plant

especially : marijuana

b

: cannabinoid

Examples of cannabis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Outside the Clevelander hotel, about a half-dozen officers surrounded Johnson and searched him, finding three baggies with a total of an eighth of an ounce of cannabis inside, according to an arrest report. —Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2025

Possessing up to 3 ounces of cannabis is a misdemeanor under Idaho law. —Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 26 Feb. 2025

Yet on a busy street in my Houston neighborhood, at least five stores within a half-mile of each other sell cannabis products that promise a strong high. —Katharine Neill Harris, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025

Push for federal funding to unlock the secrets of cannabis through research. —Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, hemp, from Greek kannabis; akin to Old English hænep hemp

First Known Use

1783, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cannabis

• medical cannabis

Kids Definition

cannabis

noun

can·​na·​bis ˈkan-ə-bəs 

: hemp sense 1

also : a preparation (as marijuana) made from hemp and affecting the mind

Medical Definition

cannabis

noun

can·​na·​bis ˈkan-ə-bəs 

1

: a tall Asian herb (Cannabis sativa of the family Cannabaceae, the hemp family) that has a tough fiber and is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica) : hemp sense 1

—used especially for cultivated varieties having high levels of THC

2

: the psychoactive dried flower buds, leaves, or preparations (as hashish) or chemicals (as THC) that are derived from the cannabis plant

especially : marijuana