Definition of second reading
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
Council is expected to have its second reading of the overlay proposal on Nov. 15.
—
cleveland, 12 Nov. 2021
The City Council must still hold a second reading of the development agreement.
—
San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Dec. 2021
Council approval is still needed after a second reading of the legislation.
—
Thomas Jewell, cleveland, 16 Nov. 2021
Before going into effect, the ordinance must receive approval from the California Energy Commission before coming back to the Solana Beach City Council for a second reading on Dec. 8.
—
Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Nov. 2021
Meany said council felt comfortable moving forward on this ordinance, so it was passed on second reading.
—
Ed Wittenberg, cleveland, 18 Oct. 2021
The ordinance will now have a second reading at the next council meeting on Oct. 25 before the council votes.
—
Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 12 Oct. 2021
Because their effort will likely be ignored in committee, officials said the Dems will bring up the amendments again when the Senate meets at 1:30 p.m. Thursday for second reading.
—
Michelle L. Quinn, chicagotribune.com, 24 Sep. 2021
Council can vote again on whether to pass the ordinance as an emergency at the second reading.
—
Erin Glynn, The Enquirer, 12 Oct. 2021
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'second reading.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Learn More About second reading
Statistics for second reading
Last Updated
12 Jan 2022
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Second reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second%20reading. Accessed 20 Jan. 2022.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Difficult Spelling Words Quiz
-
- Which is the correct spelling?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share second reading
Time Traveler for second reading
The first known use of second reading was in 1647
See more words from the same year