Tobacco

Definition

A plant of the genus Nicotiana, containing nicotine, a potent alkaloid that can act as an insecticide. The leaves are commonly used for making products such as cigarettes and cigars.

Etymology

Possibly from the Spanish tabaco, which could derive from a native American word for a roll of the dried leaves used in smoking, or from the Taino word for a type of pipe.

Example

Tobacco plants are often grown for their leaves, which contain nicotine, a substance used in various insecticides.

Related Terms

• Nicotine
• Cigarettes
• Plant