cigarette

noun

cig·​a·​rette ˌsi-gə-ˈret How to pronounce cigarette (audio)
ˈsi-gə-ˌret
variants or less commonly cigaret
: a slender roll of cut tobacco enclosed in paper and meant to be smoked
also : a similar roll of another substance (such as marijuana)

Examples of cigarette 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.
Mindful handling of smoking materials: Prudently discard cigarette butts and avoid flinging cigarettes or matches from a moving vehicle. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2025 Police had few leads besides the cigarette butt found next to Curran’s body. — Sean Neumann, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025 For winter: wrapped twice around, with a cigarette. — The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025 The company continues to focus on its tobacco business, with plans to expand the availability of its proprietary VLN® cigarettes, which contain reduced nicotine content. — Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cigarette

Word History

Etymology

French cigarette, diminutive of cigare cigar, from Spanish cigarro

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cigarette was in 1832

Phrases Containing cigarette

Rhymes for cigarette

See All Rhymes for cigarette

Browse Nearby Words

cigaresque
cigarette
cigarette beetle
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cigarette.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cigarette. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

cigarette

noun
cig·​a·​rette ˌsig-ə-ˈret How to pronounce cigarette (audio)
ˈsig-ə-ˌret
: a small roll of cut tobacco wrapped in paper for smoking
Etymology

from French cigarette, literally, "little cigar"

More from Merriam-Webster on cigarette

Nglish: Translation of cigarette for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cigarette

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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