secondhand smoke

noun

: smoke that is exhaled by smokers or is given off by burning tobacco or marijuana and is inhaled by persons nearby
The health risk of secondhand smoke in casinos is nothing new.—Ted Sherman
THC can be passed to infants and children through secondhand smoke, according to the CDC …—Joseph D. Bryant

Examples of secondhand smoke 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.
Other risks include exposure to radon gas, asbestos, radiation, secondhand smoke and air pollution, according to the American Cancer Society. — Lauran Neergaard, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 Although smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, Sepesi said other risk factors include secondhand smoke and exposure to radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate inside homes. — Tori Mason, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Lung cancer risk factors Besides smoking and secondhand smoke, there are several other lung cancer risk factors. — Estelamari Rodriguez, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026 Parents should also avoid smoking and nicotine use during pregnancy and prevent the baby from being exposed to secondhand smoke after birth. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for secondhand smoke

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for secondhand smoke

See All Rhymes for secondhand smoke

Browse Nearby Words

second-handedness
secondhand smoke
second head
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Secondhand smoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secondhand%20smoke. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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)
: smoke that is exhaled by a smoker or is given off by burning tobacco or marijuana and is inhaled by persons nearby

called also passive smoke

More from Merriam-Webster on secondhand smoke

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about secondhand smoke

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