tobacco

 
Pronunciation: /təˈbakəʊ/

noun (plural tobaccos)

  • 1 [mass noun] a preparation of the nicotine-rich leaves of an American plant, which are cured by a process of drying and fermentation for smoking or chewing.
  • 2 (also tobacco plant) the plant of the nightshade family which yields tobacco, native to tropical America. It is widely cultivated in warm regions, especially in the US and China.
    • Nicotiana tabacum, family Solanaceae
  • an ornamental plant related to tobacco. See nicotiana

Origin:

mid 16th century: from Spanish tabaco; said to be from a Carib word denoting a tobacco pipe or from a Taino word for a primitive cigar, but perhaps from Arabic

Spelling help

Spell tobacco with one b and a double c.

breathing in tobacco smoke causes cancer.