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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
Here, accusing her of failing to protect casino workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
Whether to ban smoking is one of the most controversial issues not only in Atlantic City casinos, but in other states where workers have expressed concern about secondhand smoke, including Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Virginia.
—Wayne Parry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
Black people, lower-income populations and people with less education are more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 19 Nov. 2024
Prohibiting smoking is the only way to fully protect us from secondhand smoke exposure.
—David Stempel, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1891, in the meaning defined above
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 21 Dec. 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)-
: 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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about secondhand smoke
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