second-line

adjective

sec·​ond-line ˈse-kᵊn(d)-ˈlīn How to pronounce second-line (audio)
: not being the usual or preferred choice
second-line drugs to treat tuberculosis
compare first-line

Examples of second-line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Man, Interpol, Royal Blood, Waxahatchee, Dinosaur Jr., Miike Snow, Del Water Gap, Holly Humberstone, Chicano Batman, Yves Tumor, Metric, the Revivalists, and Matt and Kim. Arcade Fire have also notably received second-line billing for the festival’s opening night. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 28 Nov. 2023 The concert feels like a second-line parade, a kind of post-pandemic celebration for thousands of R.&B.-loving shut-ins. Danielle Amir Jackson Malike Sidibe, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2023 It was originally designed for the management of type two diabetes and is given to these patients as a second-line medication for when diet and exercise aren’t enough to control their blood glucose level. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 19 Sep. 2023 By modulating your serotonin and cannabinoid receptors, CBD demonstrates its potential as a second-line treatment for multiple conditions. The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023 Fallston is coming off a 4-6 season but boasts one of the best second-line defenders in the county. Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2023 The couple celebrated with a second-line band as guests paraded around the dance floor, a New Orleans tradition in honor of Roy’s hometown. Jacqueline Weiss, Peoplemag, 14 Aug. 2023 Krejci didn’t show much rust following a one-year stint in his native Czechia, posting 56 points in 70 games in his usual perch as the second-line pivot this past season. Conor Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 28 June 2023 Despite our best intentions, the supply-chain failure from large pharmaceutical companies forced me to change my prescribing practice and select second-line therapies for treating pneumonia or ear infections. Nishant Pandya, STAT, 8 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'second-line.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of second-line was in 1969

Dictionary Entries Near second-line

Cite this Entry

“Second-line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-line. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Medical Definition

second-line

adjective
sec·​ond-line ˌsek-ᵊn(d)-ˌlīn How to pronounce second-line (audio)
: being or using a drug that is not the usual or preferred choice compare first-line
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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