hempseed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Historical / Literary
Quick answer
What does “hempseed” mean?
The seed of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The seed of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).
The seed used for propagation of hemp, as bird feed, or historically as a unit of measurement for small items ("not worth a hempseed").
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Hemp seed' (two words) is a common variant in both regions.
Connotations
In modern contexts, both regions primarily associate it with the industrial hemp plant and its cultivation, distinct from drug-related connotations of 'cannabis'.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both. More likely found in agricultural, historical, or botanical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “hempseed” in a Sentence
[V] hempseed (e.g., sow, plant)[Adj] hempseed (e.g., roasted, organic)[N of hempseed] (e.g., a sack of hempseed)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contexts of agriculture, health food, or bird feed supply chains.
Academic
Found in botanical, agricultural history, or economic history papers.
Everyday
Rare. Might occur in gardening discussions or health food contexts regarding hempseed oil.
Technical
Precise term in botany, agriculture, and some traditional crafts (e.g., bird rearing).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hempseed”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hempseed”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hempseed”
- Using 'hempseed' as a mass noun for the oil ('hempseed oil' is correct, 'some hempseed' for the seeds is correct).
- Misspelling as 'hemp seed' (acceptable variant) or 'hempseed' (standard single-word form).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Hempseed' refers specifically to the seed of the plant. 'Cannabis' is the genus name and often refers to the plant material used for medicinal or recreational purposes.
Yes. Hulled hemp seeds (often called hemp hearts) are edible, nutritious, and used in foods like granola and salads.
It stems from a time when hemp was a common crop and its seed was a proverbial symbol of minimal value. Modern equivalents are 'not worth a penny' or 'not worth a dime'.
Both 'hempseed' (solid) and 'hemp seed' (open) are found. Dictionaries often list the solid form, but the open form is very common in usage.
The seed of the hemp plant (Cannabis sativa).
Hempseed is usually technical / historical / literary in register.
Hempseed: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhɛmpsiːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhɛmpˌsid/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not worth a hempseed (archaic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'hemp' (the plant) + 'seed' (its propagator). HEMPseed grows into HEMP.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRIFLING OBJECT / MINUSCULE UNIT (archaic).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'hempseed' MOST likely to be used today?