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

On second reading by the Senate, Freeman amended the bill to remove the provision that would offer law enforcement officers and agencies immunity from civil lawsuits sparked by ICE notices. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2025

During second reading in the House on Monday, Democratic members presented 10 amendments to the bill, but each amendment failed. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025

The measure passed in the state Senate last month and advanced past a second reading in the state House Tuesday. —Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Apr. 2025

First floor work The House has four bills it’s scheduled to hear on second readings this week. —Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, 21 Jan. 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