second reading
noun
1
: the stage in the British legislative process following the first reading and usually providing for debate on the principal features of a bill before its submission to a committee for consideration of details
2
: the stage in the U.S. legislative process that occurs when a bill has been reported back from committee and that provides an opportunity for full debate and amendment before a vote is taken on the question of a third reading
Examples of second reading in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Head said LaCava insisted that all nine councilmembers be present for the second reading, but Thompson said he was baffled that the council again postponed a vote, yet approved a 20-plus unit ADU project by 6-3 during the same day.
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Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
The bill still faces a process called second reading and must be approved again in a vote that is expected in September.
—Noah Trister, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2025
As a formality, the City Council will need to approve the ordinance’s second reading at its June 24 meeting.
—Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 18 June 2025
The 4-2 vote on second reading Tuesday opens the door for the public-private partnership between Lebanon and Wilson Farms 109, which is developing the land where the future Walmart is approved just south of Interstate 40.
—Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
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Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
The bill still faces a process called second reading and must be approved again in a vote that is expected in September.
—Noah Trister, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2025
As a formality, the City Council will need to approve the ordinance’s second reading at its June 24 meeting.
—Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 18 June 2025
The 4-2 vote on second reading Tuesday opens the door for the public-private partnership between Lebanon and Wilson Farms 109, which is developing the land where the future Walmart is approved just south of Interstate 40.
—Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for second reading
Cite this Entry
“Second reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second%20reading. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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