second-degree

1 of 2

adjective

sec·​ond-degree ˈse-kən(d)-di-ˈgrē 

-kᵊŋ-

1

US, of a crime : of a level of seriousness that is less than first degree : warranting punishment but not the most severe punishment

second-degree assault/murder

2

: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury

a second-degree concussion

see also second-degree burn

second degree

2 of 2

noun

US

: the level of a crime that is less than first degree and warrants less severe punishment

He was charged with assault in the second degree.

Examples of second-degree in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Benjamin Snodgrass, 47, pleaded guilty in circuit court in Garland County to second-degree assault, disorderly conduct and public intoxication. —Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 16 July 2024

Scott — who’s appeared on reality TV with his famed mother — has now been charged with first and second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and four counts of criminal possession of a weapon. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 15 July 2024

Noun

Court records show in April 2023 that Garvey was issued 5 years of probation after pleading guilty to a felony — an unlawful transaction with a minor in the second degree. —Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 8 July 2024

Upon a first conviction a person faces a misdemeanor of the second degree. —Gabriela Henriquez Stoikow, Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1682, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

second-degree

adjective

: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury

a second-degree ankle sprain

see also second-degree burn compare first-degree, third-degree

Legal Definition

second degree

noun

sec·​ond degree

: the grade given to the second most serious forms of crimes

assault in the second degree

second-degree adjective