1
a
: a tall widely cultivated Asian herb (Cannabis sativa of the family Cannabaceae, the hemp family) that is cultivated for its tough bast fiber and edible seeds and oil and that is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica)
Note: Cultivated hemp is often distinguished from cannabis by possessing very low levels of the psychoactive substance THC.
b
: the fiber of hemp
… hemp can produce superb paper and construction materials lighter and stronger than lumber.—
Ted Williams
—often used before another nounTed Williamshemp rope
a hemp shirt
2
: a fiber (such as jute) from a plant other than the true hemp
also
: a plant yielding such fiber
Examples of hemp in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But unlike the federal legislation on hemp, the bill would allow licensed marijuana shops to continue selling hemp with THCa.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026
In 2025, sales topped $210 million for both adult-use marijuana and hemp-derived THC products, which have been around much longer.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Apply a generous coat of food-safe mineral oil (or natural oil, like hemp) to the board using a towel.
—Staff Author, Martha Stewart, 31 Mar. 2026
Texas retailers will no longer be allowed to sell most smokable hemp products.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hemp
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Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2026
In 2025, sales topped $210 million for both adult-use marijuana and hemp-derived THC products, which have been around much longer.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
Apply a generous coat of food-safe mineral oil (or natural oil, like hemp) to the board using a towel.
—Staff Author, Martha Stewart, 31 Mar. 2026
Texas retailers will no longer be allowed to sell most smokable hemp products.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hemp
Cite this Entry
“Hemp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hemp. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hemp
noun1
: a tall Asian herb widely grown for its tough woody fiber that is used to make rope and for its flowers and leaves from which are obtained various drugs (as hashish and marijuana) that affect the mind or behavior
2
: the fiber of hemp
Medical Definition
hemp
noun1
: a tall widely cultivated Asian herb of the genus Cannabis (C. sativa) that is cultivated for its strong woody fiber and edible seeds and oil and that is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica)
Note: Cultivated hemp is often distinguished from cannabis by possessing very low levels of the psychoactive substance THC.
2
: the fiber of hemp
3
: marijuana sense 1
also
: hashish
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