second

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adjective sec·ond \ ˈse-kənd also -kənt , especially before a consonant -kən , -kᵊŋ \

Updated on: 11 Sep 2017

Definition of second

1 a :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

d :alternate, other

elects a mayor every second year

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

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second

or secondly adverb

See second defined for English-language learners

See second defined for kids

Examples of second in a Sentence

We sat in the second row.
the second house on the left
B is the second letter in the alphabet.
That's the second time I've seen him today.
Chocolate is my first choice; vanilla is my second choice.
The chair needs a second coat of paint.
She plays second violin in the city orchestra.

Origin and Etymology of second

Middle English, from Anglo-French secund, from Latin secundus second, following, favorable, from sequi to follow — more at sue

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

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Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain

second

noun

Definition of second

1 a :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

3 a :the musical interval embracing two diatonic degrees

b :a tone at this interval; specifically :supertonic

c :the harmonic combination of two tones a second apart

4 a 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

First Known Use of second

14th century

Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain

second

noun

Definition of second

1 a :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

Origin and Etymology of second

Middle English secounde, from Medieval Latin secunda, from Latin, feminine of secundus second; from its being the second sexagesimal division of a unit, as a minute is the first

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

second

verb

Definition of second

transitive verb

1 a :to give support or encouragement to :assist

b :to support (a fighting person or group) in combat :bring up reinforcements for

2 a :to support or assist in contention or debate

b :to endorse (a motion or a nomination) so that debate or voting may begin

3 play \si-ˈkänd\ chiefly British :to release (someone, such as a military officer) from a regularly assigned position for temporary duty with another unit or organization

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seconder

noun

See second defined for English-language learners

Examples of second in a Sentence

I would like to second the motion to adjourn.
“Let's call it a day.” “I'll second that.”

Origin and Etymology of second

Latin secundare, from secundus second, favorable

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1586

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SECOND Defined for English Language Learners

second

play

adjective

Definition of second for English Language Learners

: occupying the number two position in a series
: next to the first in importance or rank
: another of the same kind

second

verb

Definition of second for English Language Learners

: to approve (something, such as a motion) during a meeting so that discussion or voting can begin
: to agree with (a suggestion or statement)
: to move (someone) from a regular job to a different place, department, etc., for a short period of time

SECOND Defined for Kids

second

play

adjective sec·ond \ ˈse-kənd \

Definition of second for Students

1 :being next after the first in time or order

a second child

the second floor

2 :next lower in rank, value, or importance than the first

second prize

3 :another of the same type

a second car

a second language

Word Root of second

The Latin word sequī, meaning “to follow,” and its form secutus give us the roots sequ and sec. Words from the Latin sequī have something to do with following. Something second follows what came first. A sequel is a book or movie that follows another and continues the story. A sequence is the order in which one thing follows another. A consequence is a result that follows from a condition or action.

second

noun

Definition of second for Students

1 :a 60th part of a minute of time or of a degree

2 :moment 1, instant

I'll be with you in a second.

second

verb

Definition of second for Students

seconded; seconding

:to support a suggestion, motion, or nomination

second

adverb

Definition of second for Students

:in the second place or rank the second tallest mountain

second

noun

Definition of second for Students

:someone or something that is second

Theirs is the first house, and mine is the second.

Learn More about second

See words that rhyme with second Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for second Spanish Central: Translation of second Nglish: Translation of second for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of second for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about second

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