cannabinoid
noun
can·na·bi·noid
| \ kə-ˈna-bə-ˌnȯid
\
\
Definition of cannabinoid
1
: any of various naturally-occurring, biologically active, chemical constituents (such as cannabidiol or cannabinol) of hemp or cannabis including some (such as THC) that possess psychoactive properties
The presence of cannabinoids in urine indicates marijuana use, and a great deal of weight is often placed on positive findings.— Arthur J. McBay, et al The study concluded that cannabinoids—marijuana's active components—can be useful in treating pain, nausea and appetite loss caused by advanced cancer and AIDS.— Claudia Kalb
2
: a substance that is structurally or functionally similar to cannabinoids derived from hemp or cannabis:
a
: any of several substances (as anandamide) naturally produced within the body : endocannabinoid
Move over, endorphins. Postexercise euphoria may actually be the result of naturally occurring cannabinoids—the same family of chemicals that gives marijuana smokers their high, a new study suggests. — Prevention Daniele Piomelli and his colleagues report isolating from cocoa powder and three different brands of chocolate a substance called anandamide, a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the brain. — Science News
b
: a substance that is synthetically produced to mimic the effects of natural cannabinoids
Toxicologists know only that synthetic cannabinoids bind to certain receptors in the brain and they understand nothing about the drug's long-term health effects.— Steve Featherstone These products contain synthetic cannabinoids, which produce some of the euphoria associated with natural marijuana, but they can also be accompanied by a wide range of negative health effects not associated with cannabis.— James Maynard
Examples of cannabinoid in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This week, New York state and federal health officials reported a common element — an oil derived from vitamin E — in samples of cannabinoid products used by many patients. — Tad Vezner, Twin Cities, "Minnesotan is fifth to die from lung injuries ‘associated’ with vaping, state officials say," 6 Sep. 2019 Many of them also reported using these products with cannabinoids THC or CBD, the CDC said. — oregonlive, "Providence investigating possible vaping death as CDC issues advisory," 30 Aug. 2019 So far, 144 different cannabinoids have been found in C. sativa—most of them barely understood—and new properties are being discovered all the time. — The Economist, "A global revolution in attitudes towards cannabis is under way," 29 Aug. 2019 Broad Spectrum adj, brod spek-trum This CBD product contains every element of the cannabis plant (all terpenes and all cannabinoids) except THC. — Cotton Codinha, Allure, "A Beginner’s Guide to Common CBD Terms and What They Mean," 8 Aug. 2019 In the past, did quick chemical tests for cannabinoids and look for characteristic hairs that should be present on any pot plants. — Keri Blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Four Texas DAs announce shared plan to stop charging low-level pot cases in light of hemp bill," 3 July 2019 People who smoke synthetic cannabinoids can have rapid heart rate, vomiting, agitation, confusion and hallucinations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. — Marlena Baldacci And Susannah Cullinane, CNN, "NYPD warns of toxic batch of fake weed K2 after overdoses," 22 May 2018 The products used could include a number of substances, including nicotine, THC, synthetic cannabinoids, or a combination of these. — Raquel Rutledge, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New cases of severe lung injury in Wisconsin tied to vaping nicotine and THC," 8 Aug. 2019 One investor gave $9 million to Harvard and MIT researchers to explore the science of cannabinoids. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, "At some colleges, students can now bone up on marijuana," 29 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cannabinoid.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for cannabinoid
cannabinoid
noun
can·na·bi·noid
| \ ˈkan-ə-bə-ˌnȯid, kə-ˈnab-ə-
\
\
Medical Definition of cannabinoid
1
: any of various naturally-occurring, biologically active, chemical constituents (as cannabidiol or cannabinol) of hemp or cannabis including some (as THC) that possess psychoactive properties
The study concluded that cannabinoids—marijuana's active components—can be useful in treating pain, nausea and appetite loss caused by advanced cancer and AIDS.— Claudia Kalb
2
: a substance that is structurally or functionally similar to cannabinoids derived from hemp or cannabis:
a
: any of several substances (as anandamide) naturally produced within the body : endocannabinoid
Daniele Piomelli and his colleagues report isolating from cocoa powder and three different brands of chocolate a substance called anandamide, a cannabinoid that occurs naturally in the brain. — Science News
b
: a substance that is synthetically produced to mimic the effects of natural cannabinoids
Toxicologists know only that synthetic cannabinoids bind to certain receptors in the brain and they understand nothing about the drug's long-term health effects.— Steve Featherstone