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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Most of the benefit of rereading appears to accrue from the second reading, with diminishing returns from additional repetitions. John Dunlosky, Scientific American, 1 Jan. 2015 For the second reading, Harris led the crowd a block down the street to the historic 4th Avenue Black Business District, where Jahman Hill performed two poems in the stone amphitheater across from the Masonic Temple Building. Shauna Stuart | Sstuart@al.com, al, 5 Apr. 2023 With a favorable Finance Committee report, the bills will head to the full Senate for a second reading. Maya Lora, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2023 The state Senate approved the bill 28-21 on second reading, with five Republicans and all Democrats voting against. Barbara Barrett, al, 12 Feb. 2023 An ordinance prohibiting sales of dogs or cats by retail pet stores in Valparaiso unanimously passed a first reading by the Valparaiso City Council Feb. 13, with the second reading and final vote scheduled for the Feb. 27. Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2023 Laguna Beach adopted an ordinance prohibiting the sale, public use and distribution of balloons with a second reading at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2023 After the second reading, in Spanish, Cupich spoke. Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 25 Dec. 2022 The ordinance, which if approved at a second reading Feb. 8 would take effect in March, also seeks to rein in lingering issues that have cropped up as more homes around Tahoe are converted into full-time rental properties. Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Jan. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'second reading.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of second reading was in 1647

Dictionary Entries Near second reading

Cite this Entry

“Second reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second%20reading. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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