second reading

noun

1

: the stage in the British legislative process following the first reading and usually providing for debate on the principal features of a bill before its submission to a committee for consideration of details

2

: the stage in the U.S. legislative process that occurs when a bill has been reported back from committee and that provides an opportunity for full debate and amendment before a vote is taken on the question of a third reading

Examples of second reading in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then on March 10 and 24, the city council will have the first and second reading of the annexation and zoning. —Olivia Young, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026

On second reading, also held last week, the House amended the bill with a technical correction. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026

The way the San Dieguito board typically functions is to review new policies over a two-month time frame, with a first and second reading. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026

The package will still need to pass a second reading at a future council meeting. —Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for second reading

• bedding
• dreading
• heading
• shedding
• shredding
• sledding
• spreading
• threading
• treading
• wedding
• beheading
• embedding