sec·ond-degree
ˈse-kən(d)-di-ˈgrē 
-kᵊŋ-
1
US, of a crime
: of a level of seriousness that is less than first degree : warranting punishment but not the most severe punishment
second-degree assault/murder
2
: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury
a second-degree concussion
see also second-degree burn
US
: the level of a crime that is less than first degree and warrants less severe punishment
He was charged with assault in the second degree.
Examples of second-degree in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025
First-degree murder carries a mandatory life prison term without parole eligibility, but a conviction on a lesser charge like second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter could give 50-year-old Walshe the hope for an eventual release.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 30 Nov. 2025
Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2025
David Bruce Delong, 40, was charged with second degree intentional murder on November 11.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
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Adjective
At the time, the actor faced charges of second-degree domestic violence from Myrtle Beach police in South Carolina.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 Nov. 2025
First-degree murder carries a mandatory life prison term without parole eligibility, but a conviction on a lesser charge like second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter could give 50-year-old Walshe the hope for an eventual release.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 30 Nov. 2025
Noun
Both former wrestlers were charged with racketeering in the first degree, money laundering by promoting in the first degree, conspiracy in the second degree, promoting gambling by bookmaking in the third degree, and possession of gambling records in the third degree.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 14 Nov. 2025
David Bruce Delong, 40, was charged with second degree intentional murder on November 11.
—Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for second-degree
Cite this Entry
“Second-degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-degree. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
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