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

According to the Boston Sports Medicine & Research Institute, a second-degree, or moderate, strain requires 3-6 weeks of rest and recovery before returning to full activity. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026

On Tuesday, Perez was arrested on an active warrant and charged with first-degree kidnapping with a firearm, first-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, second-degree assault with a firearm and second-degree larceny. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 23 Sep. 2026

Noun

Hawkins is charged with felony second degree kidnapping and misdemeanor domestic violence, court documents report. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 Sep. 2026

He has been charged with assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, firearm use in the commission of a felony, and other related charges. — Cbs Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for second-degree

• abc
• absentee
• addressee
• adoptee
• allottee
• amphorae
• amputee
• apc
• apogee
• appointee
• assessee
• assignee

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