tetrahydrocannabinol

noun

tet·​ra·​hy·​dro·​can·​nab·​i·​nol ˌte-trə-ˌhī-drə-kə-ˈna-bə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: thc

… more and more people are advocating for increased research into cannabis. Today, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is used in the medical field to deal with certain types of pain, muscle cramps, dizziness and loss of appetite.

—Indian Agriculture News

… gummy bears infused with THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive ingredient in pot.

—Marshall Allen

Examples of tetrahydrocannabinol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Delta-8 is a type of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. —Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025

But the powerful, arch-conservative lieutenant governor, Dan Patrick, has vowed to pass a new bill that would ban outright all forms of tetrahydrocannabinol. —John Burnett, NPR, 13 Jan. 2025

Full-Spectrum Cannabis: A Whole Plant Approach Full-spectrum cannabis extracts are designed to provide a broad range of compounds found in the cannabis plant, including cannabinoids like CBD (cannabidiol), THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBG (cannabigerol), and terpenes. —Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 18 Dec. 2024

The defining difference between hemp and marijuana is their psychoactive component: tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. —Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 30 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

tetrahydro- (combined with four atoms of hydrogen) + cannabin + -ol entry 1

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

tetrahydrocannabinol

noun

tet·​ra·​hy·​dro·​can·​nab·​i·​nol -kə-ˈnab-ə-ˌnȯl  -ˌnōl 

: thc

especially : thc sense a