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
Try to avoid secondhand smoke, scented candles, cleaning products with harsh chemicals, and outdoor air pollution when possible.16
Gargle with salt water: This can soothe a sore or irritated throat and help clear mucus.
—
Lindsay Curtis, Health, 27 July 2025
The new guidelines are more comprehensive, such as including avoiding secondhand smoke, vaping and nicotine products in the not smoking factor and pointing people to the Mediterranean diet or DASH diet under the healthy eating metric, Makarem said.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
The legal justification is mainly based on not exposing neighbors to secondhand smoke.
—Phillip Molnar, Oc Register, 7 July 2025
Hall insightfully explained to the audience that while oral swabs can sometimes give false positives from inhaling secondhand smoke, urine tests remain the most reliable method for detecting marijuana use.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 28 Feb. 2025
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Lindsay Curtis, Health, 27 July 2025
The new guidelines are more comprehensive, such as including avoiding secondhand smoke, vaping and nicotine products in the not smoking factor and pointing people to the Mediterranean diet or DASH diet under the healthy eating metric, Makarem said.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
The legal justification is mainly based on not exposing neighbors to secondhand smoke.
—Phillip Molnar, Oc Register, 7 July 2025
Hall insightfully explained to the audience that while oral swabs can sometimes give false positives from inhaling secondhand smoke, urine tests remain the most reliable method for detecting marijuana use.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 28 Feb. 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 4 Aug. 2025.
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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