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
In another ding-dong-ditch prank in 2025, a Virginia 18-year-old was shot and killed in May and a homeowner charged with crimes including second-degree murder. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025 The woman’s husband, Lloyd Matthew McKenzie, 52, has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree assault, according to the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
In May, a Virginia man was charged with second degree murder for fatally shooting an 18-year-old filming the prank for TikTok, The New York Times reported. Daniel Orton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 Antonio Durant, 33, was convicted of three counts of second degree murder in the deaths of Gino Houchins, 21, of Vallejo, and Marcus Fuller Jr., 29, and Dante Johnson, 31, both of Oakland. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Second-degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-degree. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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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