# tobacco

/təˈbæˌkoʊ/ (US) · /təbˈækəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tobacco
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the dried leaves

noun · CEFR B1

the dried leaves of a plant used to make cigarettes, cigars, or pipe mixtures.

For teachers: the cured and processed leaves of the tobacco plant, typically used for smoking, chewing, or as snuff.

- He bought a small pouch of tobacco to roll his own cigarettes.
- The government increased the tax on loose tobacco in an effort to discourage young people from starting to smoke.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to the substance.

### 2. the plant

noun · CEFR B2

a tall plant with large leaves that is grown on farms to produce tobacco.

For teachers: any plant belonging to the genus Nicotiana, especially those cultivated for commercial leaf production.

- The farmers in this region have grown tobacco for many generations.
- Agricultural scientists are developing new strains of tobacco that are more resistant to common soil-borne diseases.

Usage: Can be countable when referring to specific botanical varieties.

## Examples

- The government increased the tax on tobacco last year.
- Farmers in this region have grown tobacco for generations, though many are now switching to food crops.
- Public health initiatives have significantly reduced the consumption of tobacco in many countries, though its cultivation remains a vital economic pillar for several developing nations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.