Definition of second
(Entry 1 of 5)
1a : next to the first in place or time
was second in line
b(1) : next to the first in value, excellence, or degree
his second choice of schools
(2) : inferior, subordinate was second to none
c : ranking next below the top of a grade or degree in authority or precedence
second mate
e : resembling or suggesting a prototype : another a second Thoreau
f : being the forward gear or speed next higher than first in a motor vehicle
2 : relating to or having a part typically subordinate to and lower in pitch than the first part in concerted or ensemble music
second
noun (1)Definition of second (Entry 2 of 5)
1a : one that is number two in a series — see Table of Numbers
b : one that is next after the first in rank, position, authority, or precedence
the second in line
2 : one that assists or supports another especially : the assistant of a duelist or boxer
3a : the musical interval embracing two diatonic degrees
c : the harmonic combination of two tones a second apart
4a seconds plural : merchandise that is usually slightly flawed and does not meet the manufacturer's standard for firsts or irregulars
b : an article of such merchandise
5 : the act or declaration by which a parliamentary motion is seconded
6 : a place next below the first in a competition, examination, or contest
7 : second base
8 : the second forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
9 seconds plural : a second helping of food
second
adverbDefinition of second (Entry 3 of 5)
1 : in the second place : secondly These two kinds of image … have a powerful appeal for us, first, because we are all … inevitably concerned about our fate, and second, because our concern is itself twofold…— Robert Penn Warren
2 : before all others with one exception
the nation's second largest city They are my second favorite band.
second
noun (2)Definition of second (Entry 4 of 5)
1a : the 60th part of a minute of angular measure
b : the 60th part of a minute of time : 1/86,400 part of the mean solar day specifically : the base unit of time in the International System of Units that is equal to the duration of 9,192,631,770 periods of the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two hyperfine levels of the ground state of the cesium-133 atom
2 : an instant of time : moment
second
verbseconded; seconding; seconds
Definition of second (Entry 5 of 5)
1a : to give support or encouragement to : assist
b : to support (a fighting person or group) in combat : bring up reinforcements for
2a : to support or assist in contention or debate
b : to endorse (a motion or a nomination) so that debate or voting may begin
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Time Traveler for second
The first known use of second was in the 13th century
See more words from the same century