Non-smoking area: Definition, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：a smoke-free zone (Non-smoking area)

Non-smoking area 🔊

/ˌnɒn ˈsməʊkɪŋ ˈɛəriə/

A place where smoking is not allowed, usually inside public buildings.

Non-smoking area sign in a restaurant with diners enjoying fresh air

a smoke-free zone 🔊

➕

/ˈsmoʊk friː zoʊn/

A section or location where smoking is prohibited, typically indoors in public buildings like restaurants, offices, or hospitals.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Non- (negation prefix) + smoking (gerund of 'smoke') + area (region). Describes a place where smoking is not permitted.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a red circle with a line through a cigarette. The 'non' prefix means 'no' — so 'non-smoking area' = 'no smoking zone'.

📖 Example

The waiter showed us to a table in the non-smoking area so we could enjoy our meal without any smoke. 🔊 The waiter showed us to a table in the non-smoking area so we could enjoy our meal without any smoke.

🔗 Collocations

in the non-smoking area – inside the section where smoking is banned

designated non-smoking area – an officially marked zone where smoking is not allowed

non-smoking area policy – a rule that restricts smoking to specific places

🔄 Synonyms

smoke-free zone (n.) – an area where smoking is completely prohibited to protect air quality

no-smoking section (n.) – a part of a public venue reserved for non-smokers

non-smoking section (n.) – synonymous with non-smoking area, often used in restaurants and aircraft

🚫 Antonyms

smoking area (n.) – a designated space where smoking is permitted

smoking section (n.) – a portion of a venue where smokers can legally smoke

📖 Cultural Story

The term emerged in the late 20th century as scientific evidence linked secondhand smoke to health risks. Governments and businesses then designated separate zones to protect non-smokers, making 'non-smoking area' a standard term in public venues.