sec·ond·hand
ˈse-kən(d)-ˈhand 
1
a
: received from or through an intermediary : borrowed
b
: derivative
secondhand ideas
2
a
: acquired after being used by another : not new
secondhand books
b
: dealing in secondhand merchandise
a secondhand bookstore
1
: at second hand : indirectly
heard about it secondhand
2
: as a secondhand item
bought the couch secondhand
: an intermediate person or means : intermediary
—usually used in the phrase at second hand
: the hand marking seconds on a timepiece
Examples of secondhand in a Sentence
Adjective
a dealer in secondhand furniture
He's always haunting the secondhand shops for bargains.
Recent Examples on the Web
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 May 2025
Just before morning twilight, and for a little while after evening twilight, there’s no direct sunlight available to us on the ground, but high in space there’s still enough sunlight to bathe satellites, sending secondhand sunshine our way.
—Mike Decaire, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025
Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
McGillis repeated the story secondhand to the Globe tabloid, which ran it as a cover story and left McGillis feeling duped.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
The latest Deloitte Swiss Watch Industry Insights 2024, also notes that independents, just like the second hand market, are where the buzz is.
—Stéphane Jg Girod, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secondhand
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Adjective
In times of uncertainty, secondhand shopping offers consumers and retailers stability and resilience.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 16 May 2025
Just before morning twilight, and for a little while after evening twilight, there’s no direct sunlight available to us on the ground, but high in space there’s still enough sunlight to bathe satellites, sending secondhand sunshine our way.
—Mike Decaire, Twin Cities, 11 May 2025
Adverb
For every pair of jeans bought secondhand online in the UK, a consumer can save 30 kilograms of CO2 emissions, which the NGO equates to the emissions created by making 600 cups of tea.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
McGillis repeated the story secondhand to the Globe tabloid, which ran it as a cover story and left McGillis feeling duped.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
Noun
Upon actuation of a pusher on the left case flank, one hand jumps in single-hour increments, leaving the second hand in place.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2025
The latest Deloitte Swiss Watch Industry Insights 2024, also notes that independents, just like the second hand market, are where the buzz is.
—Stéphane Jg Girod, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for secondhand
Cite this Entry
“Secondhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/secondhand. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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