Illustration of tobacco
- tobacco 1
tobacco
noun
to·bac·co
tə-ˈba-(ˌ)kō 
plural tobaccos
1
: any of a genus (Nicotiana) of chiefly American plants of the nightshade family with viscid foliage and tubular flowers
especially
: a tall erect annual tropical American herb (N. tabacum) cultivated for its leaves
2
: the leaves of cultivated tobacco prepared for use in smoking or chewing or as snuff
3
: manufactured products of tobacco (such as cigars or cigarettes)
also
: smoking as a practice
has sworn off tobacco
4
: a moderate brown
Examples of tobacco in a Sentence
a farm that grows tobacco
a state tax on tobacco
Recent Examples on the Web
The scent is smoky yet sweet, spicy yet smooth, dark but with an underlying lightness—the result of combining clean white musk with rose, tobacco, suede, and cumin.
—
Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Houry argued in her testimony that Kennedy’s direction will not Make America Health Again, pointing to staffing cuts at offices focused on tobacco, HIV, oral health and screenings for newborns.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025
Given the increasing legalization of marijuana, it is often seen as an alternative to alcohol or tobacco, but the research suggests that its long-term risks could be more serious than many realize.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025
And in another big shift, tobacco shops would no longer be allowed to sell or even keep cannabis products on their shelves.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tobacco
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.
Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Houry argued in her testimony that Kennedy’s direction will not Make America Health Again, pointing to staffing cuts at offices focused on tobacco, HIV, oral health and screenings for newborns.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025
Given the increasing legalization of marijuana, it is often seen as an alternative to alcohol or tobacco, but the research suggests that its long-term risks could be more serious than many realize.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 16 Sep. 2025
And in another big shift, tobacco shops would no longer be allowed to sell or even keep cannabis products on their shelves.
—Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tobacco
Cite this Entry
“Tobacco.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tobacco. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tobacco
noun
to·bac·co
tə-ˈbak-ō
plural tobaccos
1
: any of a genus of chiefly American plants of the nightshade family that have sticky leaves and tube-shaped flowers
especially
: a tall upright tropical American herb with pink or white flowers that is grown for its leaves
2
: the leaves of cultivated tobacco prepared for use in smoking or chewing or as snuff
Medical Definition
tobacco
noun
to·bac·co
tə-ˈbak-(ˌ)ō
plural tobaccos
1
: any plant of the genus Nicotiana
especially
: an annual South American herb (N. tabacum) cultivated for its leaves
2
: the leaves of cultivated tobacco prepared for use in smoking or chewing or as snuff
3
: manufactured products of tobacco
also
: the use of tobacco as a practice
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share