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.
Actual nicotine replacement therapy products are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration to help people quit smoking. — Emma Fenske, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026 Wellness influencers also promote nicotine as a tool for managing stress and improving mood. — Hasmeena Kathuria, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 Parents should also avoid smoking and nicotine use during pregnancy and prevent the baby from being exposed to secondhand smoke after birth. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 The products were largely designed as a harm reduction tool to help smokers transition from combustible cigarettes to a nicotine product with fewer adverse health effects. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026 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

Rhymes for nicotine

See All Rhymes for nicotine

Browse Nearby Words

nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
nicotine
nicotined
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nicotine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nicotine. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nicotine

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