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hemp

noun
\ ˈhemp How to pronounce hemp (audio) \

Definition of hemp

1a : a tall widely cultivated Asian herb (Cannabis sativa of the family Cannabaceae, the hemp family) that is cultivated for its tough bast fiber and edible seeds and oil and that is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica)

Note: Cultivated hemp is often distinguished from cannabis by possessing very low levels of the psychoactive substance THC.

b : the fiber of hemp … hemp can produce superb paper and construction materials lighter and stronger than lumber.— Ted Williams —often used before another noun hemp ropea hemp shirt
c : marijuana also : hashish
2 : a fiber (such as jute) from a plant other than the true hemp also : a plant yielding such fiber

Examples of hemp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Meanwhile, hemp is a sustainable cannabis crop used in textiles. — Halley Bondy, NBC News, "Meet Alex Capano, America's first cannabis doctor," 30 Aug. 2019 There are also countless online retailers, some of which even grow their hemp overseas. — Felicia Gans, BostonGlobe.com, "Answering your top five questions about CBD," 27 Aug. 2019 Hemp growers say smokable hemp is an emerging moneymaker for them. — USA TODAY, "‘Stranger’ tourists, Phish and the plague, kinkajou attack: News from around our 50 states," 22 Aug. 2019 Public officials and farmers who grow potatoes, mushrooms, barley and, increasingly, hemp are fiercely protective of the valley’s water resources. — Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, "Denver Post listening tour: Alamosa and the San Luis Valley see isolation as their greatest challenge — and strength," 18 Aug. 2019 Ohio State University and Central State University plan to grow hemp this summer. — Jackie Borchardt, Cincinnati.com, "First legal hemp planted in Ohio since World War II," 1 Aug. 2019 Young grows industrial hemp, a nonpsychoactive cousin of marijuana legalized in Utah last year. — Washington Post, "Utah farmers and entrepreneurs compete to grow medical pot," 12 July 2019 Recently, there has been an interest in learning how to grow hemp for CBD oil. — Robin Tribble, Popular Mechanics, "There Is a Government Employee Who Will Help You Cultivate Hemp for CBD Oil," 10 Dec. 2018 Technically speaking, hemp is a variety of the cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. — Angela Chen, The Verge, "Growing hemp is about to be legal for the first time in nearly a century," 30 Nov. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hemp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of hemp

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for hemp

Middle English, from Old English hænep; akin to Old High German hanaf hemp, Greek kannabis

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More Definitions for hemp

hemp

noun
How to pronounce hemp (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of hemp

: a plant that is used to make thick ropes and some drugs (such as hashish and marijuana)

See the full definition for hemp in the English Language Learners Dictionary

hemp

noun
\ ˈhemp How to pronounce hemp (audio) \

Kids Definition of hemp

: a tall Asian plant grown for its tough woody fiber that is used especially in making rope and for its flowers and leaves that yield drugs (as marijuana)

hemp

noun
\ ˈhemp How to pronounce hemp (audio) \

Medical Definition of hemp

1 : a tall widely cultivated Asian herb of the genus Cannabis (C. sativa) that is cultivated for its strong woody fiber and edible seeds and oil and that is often separated into a tall loosely branched species (C. sativa) and a low-growing densely branched species (C. indica)

Note: Cultivated hemp is often distinguished from cannabis by possessing very low levels of the psychoactive substance THC.

2 : the fiber of hemp
3 : marijuana sense 1 also : hashish

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More from Merriam-Webster on hemp

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with hemp

Spanish Central: Translation of hemp

Nglish: Translation of hemp for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of hemp for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hemp

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