1. A plant native to tropical America (genus Nicotiana; especially, the Nicotiana tabacum) which is mainly grown for the leaves and used for smoking: "Tobacco was once the main crop, along with cotton, in the Southern United States in the 19th century where many slaves were utilized on the plantations."

"Christopher Columbus in 1492 observed Indians using tobacco for smoking or chewing or as snuff; and later, it was used for trading goods between the European colonists and Britain."

"Tobacco is another name for the smoking of a pipe, cigarettes, cigars; such as, so-and-so was told by his doctor to give up tobacco for the sake of his health."

2. Etymology: from Spanish tabaco which is believed to have come from Caribbean origin.