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

The July 29 action was the second reading of the salary ordinance. —Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025

First and second readings of the ordinance came at the council’s June 17 and July 15 meetings. —Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 31 July 2025

At Tuesday's Metro Nashville Council meeting, council members voted 28-8 to approve the bill on its second reading. —Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Mar. 2025

Head said LaCava insisted that all nine councilmembers be present for the second reading, but Thompson said he was baffled that the council again postponed a vote, yet approved a 20-plus unit ADU project by 6-3 during the same day. —Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

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