Definition of secondary
1a : of second rank, importance, or valueb : of, relating to, or constituting the second strongest of the three or four degrees of stress recognized by most linguists the fourth syllable of basketball team carries secondary stressc of a tense : expressive of past time
2a : immediately derived from something original, primary, or basicb : of, relating to, or being the induced current or its circuit in an induction coil or transformer secondary voltagec : characterized by or resulting from the substitution of two atoms or groups in a molecule a secondary salt; especially : being, characterized by, or attached to a carbon atom having bonds to two other carbon atomsd (1) : not first in order of occurrence or development (2) : dependent or consequent on another disease or condition secondary hypertension (3) : produced by activity of formative tissue and especially cambium other than that at a growing point secondary growth secondary phloem
3a : of, relating to, or being the second order or stage in a seriesb : of, relating to, or being the second segment of the wing of a bird or the quills of this segmentc : of or relating to a secondary school secondary education
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Examples of secondary in a Sentence
Winning is secondary—we play for the fun of the sport.
There are some secondary issues which must be taken into account as well.
I want a car that's reliable; the color is of secondary importance.
The secondary roads are indicated on the map with a green line.
Better gas mileage is a secondary benefit of reduced speed limits.
First Known Use of secondary
14th century
secondary
Definition of secondary
secondaries
1 : one occupying a subordinate or auxiliary position rather than that of a principal
2 : a defensive football backfield
3 : the coil through which the secondary current passes in an induction coil or transformer —called also secondary coil
4 : any of the quill feathers of the forearm of a bird — see wing illustration
Examples of secondary in a Sentence
The team has a strong secondary.
First Known Use of secondary
15th century
SECONDARY Defined for English Language Learners
secondary
playDefinition of secondary for English Language Learners
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: not as important or valuable as something else
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: of or relating to education of students who have completed primary school
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: caused by or coming from something else
secondary
Definition of secondary for English Language Learners
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American football : the players on the defense who are positioned away from the line of scrimmage and who mainly try to stop forward passes by the offense
SECONDARY Defined for Kids
secondary
playDefinition of secondary for Students
1 : second in rank, value, or importance We need to find water. Food is secondary.
2 : derived from or coming after something original or primary a secondary effect
3 : relating to secondary school a secondary education
4 : relating to or being the second of three levels of stress in pronunciation
Medical Dictionary
secondary
playMedical Definition of secondary
1: not first in order of occurrence or development: asa: dependent or consequent on another disease secondary diabetes Bright's disease is often secondary to scarlet feverb: occurring or being in the second stage secondary symptoms of syphilisc: occurring some time after the original injury a secondary hemorrhage
2: characterized by or resulting from the substitution of two atoms or groups in a molecule a secondary salt; especially : being, characterized by, or attached to a carbon atom having bonds to two other carbon atoms
3: relating to or being the three-dimensional coiling of the polypeptide chain of a protein especially in the form of an alpha-helix—compare primary 4, tertiary 2c
Law Dictionary
secondary
playLegal Definition of secondary
1 : of second rank, status, importance, or value
2 : derived from something original or primary
3 : of, relating to, or being the second order or stage in a series
Learn More about secondary
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for secondary Spanish Central: Translation of secondary Nglish: Translation of secondary for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of secondary for Arabic speakers
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