second-degree

1 of 2

adjective

sec·​ond-degree ˈse-kən(d)-di-ˈgrē How to pronounce second-degree (audio)
-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

second degree

2 of 2

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
According to Miami-Dade County court records, Quinn has several arrests dating back to February 2007, when he was charged with second-degree murder and armed burglary, which were eventually dropped. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025 The driver now faces a second-degree murder charge, CHP officials said. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
Lino was charged with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025 Pierre Jackson, 26, pleaded no contest to second degree murder in the 2021 shooting death of 25-year-old Dejante Kennedy. Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for second-degree 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1858, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1682, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of second-degree was in 1682

Dictionary Entries Near second-degree

second degree

second-degree

second-degree burn

Cite this Entry

“Second-degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/second-degree. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Medical Definition

second-degree

adjective
: causing or characterized by a moderate level of injury
a second-degree ankle sprain
see also second-degree burn compare first-degree, third-degree

Legal Definition

second degree

noun
sec·​ond degree
: the grade given to the second most serious forms of crimes
assault in the second degree
second-degree adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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