secondhand smoke

noun

: tobacco smoke that is exhaled by smokers or is given off by burning tobacco and is inhaled by persons nearby

Examples of secondhand smoke in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Other possible causes include exposure to radon and secondhand smoke. Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 14 Aug. 2024 Do not smoke, vape, or use tobacco or nicotine products, and avoid secondhand smoke. Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 5 Aug. 2024 Being exposed to secondhand smoke, radon, arsenic, and asbestos and having a family history of cancer can also increase the risk of this condition.6 However, lung cancer becomes metastatic when existing cancer cells spread to other areas, organs, and tissue in your body. Joy Emeh, Health, 28 July 2024 Exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, asbestos, diesel exhaust, and radon, a radioactive gas with no smell or color that's typically found in rocks, soil and burning coal and fossil fuels, can also cause lung cancer, according to the ACS. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for secondhand smoke 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'secondhand smoke.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of secondhand smoke was in 1891

Dictionary Entries Near secondhand smoke

Cite this Entry

“Secondhand smoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secondhand%20smoke. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

secondhand smoke

noun
: tobacco smoke that is exhaled by smokers or is given off by burning tobacco and is inhaled by persons nearby

Medical Definition

secondhand smoke

noun
sec·​ond·​hand smoke ˌsek-ᵊn(d)-ˌhan(d)- How to pronounce secondhand smoke (audio)
: tobacco smoke that is exhaled by a smoker or is given off by burning tobacco (as of a cigarette) and is inhaled by persons nearby

called also passive smoke

More from Merriam-Webster on secondhand smoke

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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