nicotine

noun

nic·​o·​tine ˈni-kə-ˌtēn 

: a poisonous alkaloid C₁₀H₁₄N₂ that is the chief active principle of tobacco and is used as an insecticide

Examples of nicotine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition to the high alcohol content, evidence of caffeine, nicotine and marijuana was found in Strain's blood. —Stepheny Price, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2025

In the case of substance addictions such as involving alcohol, drugs, tobacco/nicotine, and other substance use disorders (SUD), generative AI can steer you in that direction. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

In today’s newsletter, Carrie Battan travels to Sweden to explore how a niche nicotine product went global. —Erin Neil, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025

Smoking cigarettes and using nicotine products increases your cortisol levels. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from New Latin nicotiana

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nicotine

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Kids Definition

nicotine

noun

nic·​o·​tine ˈnik-ə-ˌtēn 

: a poisonous substance found in tobacco and used as an insecticide

Medical Definition

nicotine

noun

nic·​o·​tine ˈnik-ə-ˌtēn 

: a poisonous alkaloid C₁₀H₁₄N₂ that is the chief active principle of tobacco and that is used as an insecticide and is sometimes used in smoking cessation aids

Note: Trademarks for nicotine include Nicoderm, Nicorette, and Nicotrol.