second-degree

1 of 2

adjective

sec·​ond-degree ˈse-kən(d)-di-ˈgrē 

-kᵊŋ-

1

US, of a crime : of a level of seriousness that is less than first degree : warranting punishment but not the most severe punishment

second-degree assault/murder

2

: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury

a second-degree concussion

see also second-degree burn

second degree

2 of 2

noun

US

: the level of a crime that is less than first degree and warrants less severe punishment

He was charged with assault in the second degree.

Examples of second-degree in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Fohrenkam, 33, agreed to a plea deal as his second trial was set to start, pleading guilty to one count of second-degree intentional murder in exchange for Monday's 340-month sentence. —Wcco Staff, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026

In September 2011, Rapo was sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison after previously pleading no contest to second-degree manslaughter. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026

Noun

Then late last year Stacey Wondra was charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping in the second degree, destruction of evidence and a persistent violator enhancement, which can be added by prosecutors when someone has been convicted of at least three felonies. —Alex Brizee march 3, Idaho Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026

The 57-year-old was charged Tuesday with second degree commercial burglary and vandalism, according to court records. —Harry Harris, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for second-degree

• abc
• absentee
• addressee
• adoptee
• agouti
• allottee
• amphorae
• amputee
• apc
• apogee
• appointee
• assessee

Medical Definition

second-degree

adjective

: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury

a second-degree ankle sprain

see also second-degree burn compare first-degree, third-degree

Legal Definition

second degree

noun

sec·​ond degree

: the grade given to the second most serious forms of crimes

assault in the second degree

second-degree adjective