1
a
: 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 nounTed Williamshemp rope
a hemp shirt
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
That bill would have banned all consumable hemp products that contain any cannabinoids other than CBD or CBG, which do not produce a high.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2025
New state hemp laws have Tennessee businesses bracing for impact
Heath Scott likes a good laugh, playing into stereotypes with signage in his Mt. Juliet hemp and cannabis store, Deep Wild Roots.
—Maria Leontaras, The Tennessean, 15 July 2025
While proposals on hemp and education moved forward, others — from adult toy restrictions to pet store rules — stalled in committee or failed to advance.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 3 July 2025
In 2019, Texas legalized the sale and consumption of hemp, a weaker form of cannabis with a maximum of 0.3 percent THC.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hemp
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Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 2025
New state hemp laws have Tennessee businesses bracing for impact
Heath Scott likes a good laugh, playing into stereotypes with signage in his Mt. Juliet hemp and cannabis store, Deep Wild Roots.
—Maria Leontaras, The Tennessean, 15 July 2025
While proposals on hemp and education moved forward, others — from adult toy restrictions to pet store rules — stalled in committee or failed to advance.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 3 July 2025
In 2019, Texas legalized the sale and consumption of hemp, a weaker form of cannabis with a maximum of 0.3 percent THC.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for hemp
Cite this Entry
“Hemp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hemp. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hemp
noun1
: a tall Asian herb widely grown for its tough woody fiber that is used to make rope and for its flowers and leaves from which are obtained various drugs (as hashish and marijuana) that affect the mind or behavior
2
: the fiber of hemp
Medical Definition
hemp
noun1
: 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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