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
Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
The man faces one count each of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action, according to court documents.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Brandon has been charged with second degree murder, manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence and concealing a dead body.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 23 May 2025
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Adjective
Kemp, 55, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault Tuesday for shooting at two men inside a vehicle in a Tacoma, Wash., mall parking lot.
—Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
The man faces one count each of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon and two counts of armed criminal action, according to court documents.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2025
Noun
Garcia is being held at the Polk County Jail, facing two charges—second degree murder with weapon and failure to safely store a firearm, according to jail records reviewed by Newsweek.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Brandon has been charged with second degree murder, manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence and concealing a dead body.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 23 May 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 8 Jun. 2025.
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