nicotine

noun

nic·​o·​tine ˈni-kə-ˌtēn How to pronounce nicotine (audio)
: a poisonous alkaloid C10H14N2 that is the chief active principle of tobacco and is used as an insecticide

Examples of nicotine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Charlies Holdings continues to face regulatory challenges, particularly concerning FDA approvals for its nicotine products. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 19 Nov. 2024 Moen said that nicotine patches offer a stable, consistent dose of nicotine over 24 hours without the harmful effects of smoking or vaping. —Asmae Fahmy, Verywell Health, 6 Sep. 2024 Though the number of young people using nicotine pouches from brands like Zyn is low overall, the numbers have risen since 2016. —Mimi Montgomery, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024 According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study, nicotine pouches were the second-most popular form of tobacco children admitted to using. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nicotine 

Word History

Etymology

French, from New Latin nicotiana

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nicotine was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near nicotine

nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate

nicotine

nicotined

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Nicotine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nicotine. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

nicotine

noun
nic·​o·​tine ˈnik-ə-ˌtēn How to pronounce nicotine (audio)
: a poisonous substance found in tobacco and used as an insecticide

Medical Definition

nicotine

noun
nic·​o·​tine ˈnik-ə-ˌtēn How to pronounce nicotine (audio)
: a poisonous alkaloid C10H14N2 that is the chief active principle of tobacco and that is used as an insecticide and is sometimes used in smoking cessation aids

Note: Trademarks for nicotine include Nicoderm, Nicorette, and Nicotrol.

More from Merriam-Webster on nicotine

Nglish: Translation of nicotine for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of nicotine for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nicotine

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