tetrahydrocannabinol

noun

tet·​ra·​hy·​dro·​can·​nab·​i·​nol ˌte-trə-ˌhī-drə-kə-ˈna-bə-ˌnȯl How to pronounce tetrahydrocannabinol (audio) -ˌnōl How to pronounce tetrahydrocannabinol (audio)
: thc
CBD is just one of dozens of cannabinoids found in cannabis, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the one responsible for marijuana's famous high.—Christie Aschwanden
… 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Marijuana contains a different form of cannabinoid than the one naturally produced by the brain, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. — Shoshi Parks, Popular Science, 3 June 2026 Hemp, which comes from cannabis plants that have minimal amounts of the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can act as a thermal regulator when used to insulate buildings. — Amy Gunia, CNN Money, 24 June 2026 As breweries shut down, craft-beer sales slump and younger drinkers abstain from alcohol longer than just during Dry January, sales of hemp drinks with trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC), are surging. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 23 Apr. 2026 This plant has tetrahydrocannabinol or THC as its main psychoactive substance and numerous other cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol or CBD. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 14 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tetrahydrocannabinol

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tetrahydrocannabinol was in 1940

Rhymes for tetrahydrocannabinol

See All Rhymes for tetrahydrocannabinol

Browse Nearby Words

tetrahydroborate
tetrahydrocannabinol
tetrahydrofuran
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tetrahydrocannabinol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tetrahydrocannabinol. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

tetrahydrocannabinol

noun
tet·​ra·​hy·​dro·​can·​nab·​i·​nol -kə-ˈnab-ə-ˌnȯl How to pronounce tetrahydrocannabinol (audio) -ˌnōl How to pronounce tetrahydrocannabinol (audio)
: thc
especially : thc sense a

More from Merriam-Webster on tetrahydrocannabinol

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tetrahydrocannabinol

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