noun
Common
cannabis
KA-nuh-bihs
Cannabis (noun) means the hemp plant, or the dried leaves and flowers of it used as a drug. Example: “The leaflet explained that cannabis is still illegal in many countries.”
noun
1
The hemp plant, or the dried leaves and flowers of it used as a drug.
"The leaflet explained that cannabis is still illegal in many countries."
"Several states have legalized cannabis for recreational use."
"Cannabis is prescribed in some countries to relieve chronic pain."
How to use cannabis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe hemp plant and the drug made from it, also called marijuana.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
medical cannabis
cannabis use
legalize cannabis
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Word forms
- Plural
- cannabises
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The leaflet explained that _____ is still illegal in many countries.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Latin cannabis, from Ancient Greek kánnabis, "hemp." A doublet of "canvas."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “cannabis” mean?
The word “cannabis” means the hemp plant, or the dried leaves and flowers of it used as a drug. In plain terms, the hemp plant and the drug made from it, also called marijuana.
How do you pronounce “cannabis”?
“Cannabis” is pronounced KA-nuh-bihs (/ˈkæ.nə.bɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “cannabis” in a sentence?
Here is “cannabis” used in a sentence: “Several states have legalized cannabis for recreational use.”
What part of speech is “cannabis”?
“Cannabis” is a noun.
Where does the word “cannabis” come from?
The word “cannabis” comes from Ancient Greek. A learned borrowing from Latin cannabis, from Ancient Greek kánnabis, "hemp." A doublet of "canvas.".
Is “cannabis” a common word?
“Cannabis” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between cannabis and hemp?
Both words can refer to the same plant, but they emphasize different uses. "Hemp" usually describes varieties grown for fiber, seeds, and industrial products, which contain very little of the plant's intoxicating compound, while "cannabis" is the usual term when the dried leaves and flowers are used as a drug. Many legal systems define and regulate the two separately.
What is the difference between cannabis and marijuana?
"Cannabis" is the botanical and formal name, used in scientific, medical, and legal contexts, and it covers the plant as a whole. "Marijuana" is a common everyday name specifically for the dried leaves and flowers used as a drug. Official documents increasingly prefer "cannabis" as the neutral umbrella term.
Is "cannabis" a countable or uncountable noun?
"Cannabis" is an uncountable (mass) noun, so it takes a singular verb and is not normally used with "a" or in the plural: you say "cannabis is," not "cannabises are." To express quantity, use a measure phrase such as "an amount of cannabis."
Is "cannabis" a formal or informal word?
"Cannabis" is the formal choice: it is the word used in legislation, medicine, and news reporting. Informal conversation tends to use slang names instead. In official, academic, or professional writing, "cannabis" is the appropriate term.
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