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
Exposure to secondhand smoke can also decrease vitamin C levels.
—
Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 12 Jan. 2026
Litigation revealed that industry leaders worked to redirect attention away from marketing practices, product design, and secondhand smoke.
—Time, 19 Dec. 2025
This includes avoiding secondhand smoke as much as possible.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Dec. 2025
In his veto message, Evers said the bill would have a negative impact on the public health of people in Wisconsin, due to secondhand smoke in establishments that would allow smoking under the bill.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secondhand smoke
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Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 12 Jan. 2026
Litigation revealed that industry leaders worked to redirect attention away from marketing practices, product design, and secondhand smoke.
—Time, 19 Dec. 2025
This includes avoiding secondhand smoke as much as possible.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 8 Dec. 2025
In his veto message, Evers said the bill would have a negative impact on the public health of people in Wisconsin, due to secondhand smoke in establishments that would allow smoking under the bill.
—Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secondhand smoke
Cite this Entry
“Secondhand smoke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secondhand%20smoke. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
secondhand smoke
noun
sec·ond·hand smoke
ˌsek-ᵊn(d)-ˌhan(d)- 
: 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
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