Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

second-string

adjective
sec·​ond-string | \ ˌse-kən(d)-ˈstriŋ How to pronounce second-string (audio) , ˌse-kᵊŋ-\

Definition of second-string

: being a substitute as distinguished from a regular (as on a ball team)

First Known Use of second-string

1922, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for second-string

from the reserve bowstring carried by an archer in case the first breaks

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about second-string

Statistics for second-string

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for second-string

The first known use of second-string was in 1922

See more words from the same year

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for second-string

second-string

adjective
How to pronounce second-string (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of second-string

chiefly US, sports : not used as one of the regular players on a team

See the full definition for second-string in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on second-string

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with second-string

Comments on second-string

What made you want to look up second-string? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

assiduous

Listen to the pronounciation of assiduous

showing great care, attention, and effort

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Finance Words Quiz

  • a-piggy-bank
  • The etymology of mortgage is related most closely to which two words?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games