tobacco
[ tuh-bak-oh ]
/ təˈbæk oʊ /
noun, plural to·bac·cos, to·bac·coes.
any of several plants belonging to the genus Nicotiana, of the nightshade family, especially one of those species, as N. tabacum, whose leaves are prepared for smoking or chewing or as snuff.
the prepared leaves, as used in cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.
any product or products made from such leaves.
any of various similar plants of other genera.
Origin of tobacco
1525–35; < Spanish
tabaco, perhaps < Arawak: a pipe for smoking the plant, or roll of leaves smoked, or the plant
OTHER WORDS FROM tobacco
to·bac·co·less, adjective an·ti·to·bac·co, adjectiveWords nearby tobacco
Example sentences from the Web for tobacco
British Dictionary definitions for tobacco
tobacco
/ (təˈbækəʊ) /
noun plural -cos or -coes
any of numerous solanaceous plants of the genus Nicotiana, having mildly narcotic properties, tapering hairy leaves, and tubular or funnel-shaped fragrant flowers. The species N. tabacum is cultivated as the chief source of commercial tobacco
the leaves of certain of these plants dried and prepared for snuff, chewing, or smoking
Derived forms of tobacco
tobaccoless, adjectiveWord Origin for tobacco
C16: from Spanish
tabaco, perhaps from Taino: leaves rolled for smoking, assumed by the Spaniards to be the name of the plant