second-degree

1 of 2

adjective

sec·​ond-degree ˈse-kən(d)-di-ˈgrē How to pronounce second-degree (audio)
-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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Bean, Haley and Smith have also pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree murder. Adrian Sainz and Jonathan Mattise, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024 Howard-Browne was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) on two second-degree misdemeanors, for unlawful assembly and violation of public health emergency rules. Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
Noun
He also is charged with one count of endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree, a misdemeanor. Penny Weaver, arkansasonline.com, 21 Nov. 2024 He’s been offered a deal for two years in prison in exchange for pleading guilty to second degree assault. Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for second-degree 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1682, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of second-degree was in 1682

Dictionary Entries Near second-degree

second degree

second-degree

second-degree burn

Cite this Entry

“Second-degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-degree. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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