THC

noun

ˌtē-(ˌ)āch-ˈsē 

: either of two physiologically active isomers C₂₁H₃₀O₂ from hemp plant resin

especially : one that is the chief intoxicant in marijuana

When a person tokes, eats or vapes cannabis, a wave of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, washes into the brain.

—Laura Sanders

THC, the main chemical component of marijuana, has been shown to reduce nausea and increase appetite in chemotherapy patients.

—Andrew Weil

THC disappears from blood quickly as it is absorbed in the brain, making blood tests a more reliable measure of recent use but not a great correlate of impairment.

—Eliza Gray

Examples of THC in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For me personally, the alternative is CBD or THC, but here there’s still a lot of stigma in the South around those. —Jessi Roti, Bon Appétit, 20 Feb. 2025

Cannabis cocktails make a fantastic alternative, especially when served with a low dose of THC. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025

Elgin council set to ban sales of all edibles containing delta-8 or delta-9 THC The price of eggs just hit an all-time high. —Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

Should a customer arrive to a bar shortly after consuming any sort of THC, and then order a beer, the establishment serving the drink would be held responsible. —Alex Malm, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

tetrahydrocannabinol

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

THC

noun

ˌtē-ˌāch-ˈsē 

: either of two physiologically active isomers C₂₁H₃₀O₂ that occur naturally in hemp plant resin or are synthetically prepared:

a

: one that is the chief intoxicant in marijuana and is used medicinally

called also delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-9-THC

see dronabinol

b

: one that is present in marijuana only in minute quantities