secondhand smoke

noun

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Definition of secondhand smoke

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

See secondhand smoke defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of secondhand smoke from the Web

Nutrition, physical activity, or even secondhand smoke — which wasn’t recognized in the 1940s — can affect a person’s baseline risk for disease.

— elizabeth cooney, STAT, "New risk calculator could change the aspirin, statins, and blood pressure medications some people take," 4 June 2018
Unlike secondhand smoke, which lasts for only a short time after a cigarette is consumed, thirdhand smoke can linger in the environment by sticking to clothing, upholstery, walls and other surfaces.

— karen kaplan, latimes.com, "This room was off-limits to smokers, but its air contained surprising amounts of 'thirdhand smoke'," 9 May 2018
Steer clear of tobacco and secondhand smoke; eliminate unnecessary contact with hormone disruptors in plastics, personal care products and receipts; avoid pesticides; and dodge air pollution (exercise indoors on days with poor air quality). 6.

— Houston Chronicle, "10 steps to protect your heart, brain and body from disease and premature aging," 20 May 2018
Then came discoveries about the danger of secondhand smoke.

— william wan, ajc, "Thirdhand smoke is widespread and may be dangerous, mounting evidence shows," 10 May 2018
That could mean that people need to be aware not only of secondhand smoke from cigarettes and other tobacco products, but might need to worry about people taking smoke breaks outside, or even the residue from years ago.

— maggie fox /, NBC News, "HVAC systems spread thirdhand smoke," 9 May 2018
But other lung irritants, including air pollution and secondhand smoke, can also cause COPD, as can a rare genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

— sarah klein, Health.com, "What Did Barbara Bush Die Of? Here’s What You Need to Know About COPD," 18 Apr. 2018
This includes 41,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure.

— maria clark, NOLA.com, "Vote on Louisiana smoking ban pushed to next week," 12 Apr. 2018
The American Lung Association says there are a few ways to lessen your risk: don't smoke, avoid secondhand smoke, be aware of air pollution in your home or workplace and advocate for healthy air quality.

— shelby fleig, USA TODAY, "5 things to know about COPD, the lung disease ailing Barbara Bush," 16 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'secondhand smoke.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of secondhand smoke

1891

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SECONDHAND SMOKE Defined for English Language Learners

secondhand smoke

noun

Definition of secondhand smoke for English Language Learners

: smoke from a cigarette, cigar, pipe, etc., that can be inhaled by people who are near the person who is smoking

Medical Dictionary

secondhand smoke

noun sec·ond·hand smoke \ ˌsek-ᵊn(d)-ˌhan(d)- \

medical Definition of secondhand smoke

: 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