second reading

noun

1

: the stage in the British legislative process following the first reading and usually providing for debate on the principal features of a bill before its submission to a committee for consideration of details

2

: the stage in the U.S. legislative process that occurs when a bill has been reported back from committee and that provides an opportunity for full debate and amendment before a vote is taken on the question of a third reading

Examples of second reading in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Under old rules, the bill would then be eligible for a second reading and amendments two calendar days after the new bill language had been made available to members. —Arika Herron, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024

The last of three readings showed the sentiment index at 71.8, better than the 70.5 from October but down 1.3 points from the second reading. —Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 24 Nov. 2024

But this reading took place on October 24 and the State Duma approved it following its second reading on November 14. —Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024

At a second reading next month, MPs will be given a free vote, as euthanasia is considered a matter of conscience. —Harriet Marsden, theweek, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1