Smoking Area Definition, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：smoking zone (Smoking area)

Smoking area 🔊

/ˈsməʊkɪŋ ˈeərɪə/

A special place where people can smoke, often set up in public areas to keep smoke away from others.

Smoking area sign pointing to outdoor zone with benches and ashtrays

smoking zone 🔊

➕

/ˈsməʊkɪŋ zəʊn/

A designated physical location, often outdoors or well-ventilated, where smoking tobacco or other substances is permitted, common in public spaces like restaurants, airports, or offices.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Compound of 'smoking' (gerund of 'smoke', from Old English smoca) + 'area' (from Latin area, meaning open space).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a sign with a cigarette and an arrow pointing to a corner: 'Smoke only there!'

📖 Example

If you need to smoke, please find the smoking area near the restaurant entrance. 🔊 If you need to smoke, please find the smoking area near the restaurant entrance.

🔗 Collocations

designated smoking area – an officially marked smoking zone

outdoor smoking area – an open-air space for smoking

smoking area sign – a sign indicating where smoking is allowed

🔄 Synonyms

smoking zone (n.) – a designated area for smoking

smoking section (n.) – a part of a restaurant or building set aside for smokers

smoking room (n.) – an enclosed room where smoking is permitted

🚫 Antonyms

non-smoking area (n.) – a place where smoking is prohibited

smoke-free zone (n.) – an area free from tobacco smoke

clean air zone (n.) – an area with restrictions on smoking for air quality

📖 Cultural Story

The term emerged in the late 20th century with anti-smoking laws, designating specific zones to protect non-smokers from secondhand smoke in public places.