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 Village at Pleasant Grove Planned Unit Development was approved by the Mt. Juliet City Commission on second reading in December 2021. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

The Metro Nashville Council approved an ordinance creating the Metro Department of Waste Services on second reading at the group's May 20 meeting. —Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 21 May 2025

After the council vote, the ordinance is now pending a second reading. —Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025

The Solana Beach City Council recently approved a second reading of an ordinance to increase the annual sewer service charge for 2026 through 2030. —Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 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