second degree

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

Read was tried twice and ultimately acquitted on charges of second degree murder and manslaughter in connection with O’Keefe’s death. —Todd Prussman, Boston Herald, 4 June 2026

While Kenneth Law is set to admit to 14 charges of aiding or counseling suicide, Canadian prosecutors are withdrawing second degree murder charges, multiple sources have confirmed, causing anger among devastated families. —CBS News, 27 May 2026

Andrea told the outlet that nursing is her second degree. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026

Lowman has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon, felony breaking and entering to terrorize/injure, second degree trespassing, injury to real property (the office door) and disorderly conduct, a warrant states. —Mark Price may 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for second degree

• abc
• absentee
• addressee
• adoptee
• allottee
• amphorae
• amputee
• apc
• apogee
• appointee
• assessee
• assignee

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