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

However, Shwaiki concluded she’s been exposed to both secondhand smoke and environmental pollution and suffers from chronic bronchitis. — John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

California has some of the strictest smoking laws in the nation in order to protect public health and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke, according to TicketSnipers. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2026

If cannabis is being smoked, the user should ensure the pet is not in the room to inhale secondhand smoke. — Ella Moore may 26, Miami Herald, 26 May 2026

For example, current smoking laws have been enacted in part to protect nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke, especially children. — Marie Helweg-Larsen, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for secondhand smoke

• artichoke
• nanticoke
• womenfolk
• awoke
• baroque
• bespoke
• colloque
• convoke
• evoke
• invoke
• keystroke
• kinfolk

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)- 

: 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